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1998 Oldsmobile Achieva

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 57.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 13 of 40 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
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75,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical SystemFire

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. THE FIREMAN WAS CALLED TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT FROM THE VEHICLE.THE CAR WAS LOST DUE TO THE FLAMES AND I LOST WAGES DUE TO THE CAR. I CONTACT GMC ABOUT THE CAR AND TH…

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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. THE FIREMAN WAS CALLED TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT FROM THE VEHICLE.THE CAR WAS LOST DUE TO THE FLAMES AND I LOST WAGES DUE TO THE CAR. I CONTACT GMC ABOUT THE CAR AND THEY SAID , THE CAR ENGULF IN FLAMES HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682349

75,000 miles · Feb 17, 2011
Electrical System

MY GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS BEEN GOING ON THE FRITZ FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. EVERY FIX WOULD LAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS, WEEKS THAN GO RIGHT BACK TO NO WORKING. I KEEP GETTING LOCK OUT OF OF THE CAR WITH THE ANTI THIEFT. I HAVE A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF AT TIMES DURI…

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MY GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS BEEN GOING ON THE FRITZ FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. EVERY FIX WOULD LAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS, WEEKS THAN GO RIGHT BACK TO NO WORKING. I KEEP GETTING LOCK OUT OF OF THE CAR WITH THE ANTI THIEFT. I HAVE A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF AT TIMES DURING THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. I HATE GM AND THEIR CRAPPY PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THERE SEEMS TO BE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT IT THAT U WOULD THINK THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383063

13,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH). THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY THE VIN BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10353295

80,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED A RELAY KIT. YEARS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO HAVING THE IGNITION S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED A RELAY KIT. YEARS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE REMEDY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD ONLY BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY, THE ORIGINAL RECALL REPAIR WAS TECHNICALLY SUFFICIENT. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #10273090

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2007
Electrical System

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, HAD ALREADY HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED IN JULY OF 2006 AT YARK AUTOMOTIVE IN TOLEDO, OHIO. FREQUENTLY FAILS TO START. HAD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2007. DEALERSHIP WORKING ON THE VEHICLE NOW CLAIMS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208675

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2004
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #04V036000 (IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON 10/11/04. THE MECHANIC REPLACED RELAY SWITCH BUT NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED BUT WILL NOT TURN OFF PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH …

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THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #04V036000 (IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON 10/11/04. THE MECHANIC REPLACED RELAY SWITCH BUT NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED BUT WILL NOT TURN OFF PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT PART THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10096814

116,952 miles · Apr 30, 2004
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AFTER TIRES WERE INSTALLED. *PH THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED ALL INVOICES FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT THE PART REPLACED WAS NOT THE PART COVERED BY THE RECALL OR THAT THE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED DID NOT SUBSTAN…

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IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AFTER TIRES WERE INSTALLED. *PH THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED ALL INVOICES FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT THE PART REPLACED WAS NOT THE PART COVERED BY THE RECALL OR THAT THE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED DID NOT SUBSTANTIATE THE REQUEST. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10072102

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2004
Electrical System

RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO RECALL REPAIR THE DEALER AGREE TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONSUMER FREE OF CHARGE. AFTER THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED THE DEALER REFUSED TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONSUMER WITHOUT CHARGE. *PH THE RECALL WAS FOR AN IGNITION PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED IGNITION PROBLEM…

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RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO RECALL REPAIR THE DEALER AGREE TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONSUMER FREE OF CHARGE. AFTER THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED THE DEALER REFUSED TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONSUMER WITHOUT CHARGE. *PH THE RECALL WAS FOR AN IGNITION PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED IGNITION PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10071452

139,000 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Electrical System

ALTERNATOR - 2ND TIME THAT GOES OUT IN 3 1/2 YEARS. CAR BOUGHT IN 1999 WITH LESS THAN 35000 MILES, ALTERNATOR WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AT 37000 MILES IN 1999, AND NOW AGAIN IN JAN 2004.

NHTSA ODI #10054651

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, FUEL PRESSURE VALVE, MASTER CYLINDER, ABS BOOSTER, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND BRAKES, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019488

Official recalls

1

04V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Jan 27, 2004

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 PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

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 NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.