1996 Oldsmobile Achieva
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 87
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1996
None on file
32% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 87 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 53 |
| 1993 | 38 |
| 1994 | 63 |
| 1995 | 70 |
| 1996 | 87 |
| 1997 | 63 |
| 1998 | 40 |
| 2000 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
32% · 28 reportsMost commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle was taken to dealer for recall# 02V070000 subject: electrical system: ignition switch. After the repair, ignition short circuited,causing a fire in the dashboard.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-22
I bought my dads 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, on about the 7-22-13, he had it at our mechanics car lot for sale and my trucks transmission started failing on me so I purchased my dads car, went to pick it up and now after 2 different mechanics and 5...
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-15
Also filed under Engine
Air bags
20% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer states that when hit in the front center of the vehicle the air bag did not deploy causing injuries to the consumer. Dealer notified…
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-30
Thw vehicle was involved in a head-on collision in which the driver's side airbag didn't deploy but the passenger's side did. *ak consumer was injured in accident.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-12-02
Engine and engine cooling
16% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Service brakes
16% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Suspension
10% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing front and lower arm.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1996Complaint volume 87 complaints filed for this model year.
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1996-11-04Air bags96V211000 During deployment of the passenger air bag, the air bag fabric can snag on a reinforcement inside the instrument panel, causing the expanding air bag to lift the instrument panel pad and then deploy…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the instrument panel pads and, if necessary, install a plastic edge protector to the instrument panel pad reinforcement. On certain early-production vehicles, the instrument…
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1997-01-30Exterior lighting96V250000 The front and/or rear hazard warning lamps (Four-way flashers) do not flash when the hazard switch is activated. This fails to comply with FMVSS No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated…
Remedy: Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.
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1998-02-28Interior lighting98V027000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the…
Remedy: Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
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2002-03-27Electrical system02V070000 On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "Start" Position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes…
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began March 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to…
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2007-03-20Fuel system, gasoline07E015000 Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (Mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were…
Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443.
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2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…
Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 28 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96V211000 · Air bags
- Recall 96V250000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 98V027000 · Interior lighting
- Recall 02V070000 · Electrical system
- Recall 07E015000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.