MYRModel Year Report

1998 Oldsmobile Achieva

▲ Better than typical
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:51:53.381Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
40
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 38 complaints 1993 1994: 63 complaints 1994 1995: 70 complaints 1995 1996: 87 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 40 complaints 1998 40 2000: 3 complaints 2000
1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 38 complaints 1993 1994: 63 complaints 1994 1995: 70 complaints 1995 1996: 87 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 40 complaints 1998 40 2000: 3 complaints 2000
1992: 53 complaints 1992 1993: 38 complaints 1993 1994: 63 complaints 1994 1995: 70 complaints 1995 1996: 87 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 40 complaints 1998 40 2000: 3 complaints 2000

1998: 40 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199253
199338
199463
199570
199687
199763
199840
20003

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

33% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing switch and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I was drive along union street in greenville, miss when I notice smoke coming from the hood of the car. I suddenly pull over because the car became engulf in flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-09

Service brakes

20% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Engine and engine cooling

20% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was off and parked when the consumer smelled fuel. It was later determined that the fuel rail, hose and regulator failed. The dealer also replaced the intake nd valve cover gaskets, radiator hose, wheel cylinders and thermostat.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-27

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Engine cylinder failed, causing vehicle to overheat.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-09-22

Vehicle speed control

10% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing linkages.

Air bags

10% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer was involved in a frontal collision in which driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-08-07

When driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a utility pole on the passenger front side, there was no deployment of the air bags. The vehicle is being repaired.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-14

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-03-01Electrical system04V036000 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, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Oldsmobile Achieva — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V036000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 07E015000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva have?
3 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.