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1994 Oldsmobile Achieva problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva is steering. Its complaint count is close to a typical Achieva model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
62
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
43
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
21-24mpg

The worst 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls 2

Electrical system: starter assemblyReported October 2, 2000 · 699,617 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine starter fails to engage and the driver hold the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, producing heat that can melt switch parts.
Risk
A fire could occur in the steering column and spread to the interior of the car.
Remedy
Dealers will install a relay kit and verify that the vehicle will start with a properly charged battery in good operating condition (adequate reserve capacity, or cold cranking amps). This campaign does not cover battery replacement or unrelated starting system or electrical system repairs.

Recall number 00V287000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported July 1, 1994 · 1,681 vehicles affected
What is wrong
These vehicles were constructed with welds in the rear compartment pan assembly that are not sufficient to comply with the requirements pertaining to fuel tank leakage in the event of a rear impact collision. The fuel tank assemblies do not comply with fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity."
Risk
This can result in an increased risk of a vehicle fire in the event of a rear impact collision.
Remedy
Dealer will install rivets adjacent to the locations where the suspect welds are located.

Recall number 94V122000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva

Defect investigations

Steering column firesOpened March 3, 2000, closed February 7, 2001

There is no summary currently available

EA00007

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva 43

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 43 bulletins for the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva

1994 Oldsmobile Achieva fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylFWD18-2127-3221-24
3.1L 6‑cylFWD182621

What 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 19, 2007 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · ND · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 oldsmobile achieva. The contact stated that his vehicle was issued recall # 00v287000 (electrical system:starter assembly) in 2001. The recall repair was never performed and the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle's interior was destroyed. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 138,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2005 · Airbags, Electrical · MO

Dt: the air bag and the horn were having wiring sensor problems. There was a short in the sensor on the internal shortage. This was happening for 3 months. The horn was going off when had to turn the wheel. Consumer had to pull the fuse on the horn to shut off the horn. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer, "and the dealer said that it was a n internal problem with wiring on the inside of the airbag. Consumer stated he felt that this was a manufacturing flaw.

Filed Oct 25, 2002 · Brakes, Visibility · OH

Check oil light comes on & off manufacturer can't duplicate, when hazard lights are used headlights don't work hazard lights don't work at all now. When roads are wet or weather is damp when you try to stop the car jumps/hops. Drivers side window works whenever it feels like it. Drivers side lock will not unlock with the switch or the key I had to pull the assembly out so I can push the knob all of the way up before you can get in or out. A/c didnt work when I purchased the car as it was mid jan. When I made the purchase in feb. Of 2001 the car started missing really bad it stalled & wouldn't start the exhaust pipe was fire red. There was gas in my oil, it jumped time, fowled out the plugs, one of the cylinders were dead, it needed an ignition coil,timing, belt plugs, some sensor (I cant remember the name of it now) but I can call the mechanic & find out it cost me roughly $600.00 for a friend for repairs now I hear water swishing through the front of the car when I turn, I think it's my water pump as it's over heating & it's making like a grinding noise in the box looking thing below the alternator.the brakes do alot of clunking, and whenever you make a right turn and drive about 1/4 mi. You hear/feel a clunk under the car and the trans. Seems to shift a little hard & I can also remove the ignition key while the car is running. I think that is about it. Dt

Filed Aug 23, 2002 · Electrical · GA · fire

The consumer attempted to start the vehicle but it would not turn over, the consumer left the vehicle and when he returned he noticed that the vehicle was on fire, the consumer believes there was a problem with the starter or ignition. Nlm

Filed Apr 30, 2002 · Airbags · NY · crash

While driving 50 MPH vehicle ran off the road into a ditch. Neither air bag deployed. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Apr 23, 2002 · Airbags, Steering · TN · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle was involved in a front end collision and was totalled. None of the vehicles airbags deployed. *ak dealer contacted. Steering wheel broke due to impact. Injury was sustained.

Filed Mar 16, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Engine lost power at 65 MPH on freeway, able to pull to right shoulder, engine was not hot, no check lights were on, checked oil & water levels, ok, tried to restart engine but it was very noisy & backfiring, and would only run at fast idle. Shut down, called tow truck. Mechanic took a compression check, no compression in # 2 & 4 cylinders. This engine has a timing chain, not a belt, timing was checked, found ok. Pulled head & found that valves on those cylinders had hit pistons, but not enough to hurt same. Pressure checked head, ground valves (were not bent), reassembled engine, started same & it was missing & backfiring thru throttle boby, same as on freeway. Mechanic got on the internet looking for answers & had numerous replies that coil housing was defective. Replaced same, have put almost 1000 miles on odometer with no problems....due to the fact that olds has come out with a revised coil housing & mechanics all over USA reported having same problem, I feel there should be a program initiated for olds to reimburse owners their costs at this low mileage for this problem. My repair cost was $1031.17, which could have very easily been $4000.00 for a new engine if the pistons had hit the valves any harder. Olds redesigned the housing, which indicates they were aware of the problem. Olds refuses to help pay any of the bill because the problem "was not diagnosed at a gm dealer" they are sending me a denial of help letter. Please respond with your thoughts about this problem..

Filed Sep 10, 2001 · Brakes · NC

I was sold a car that the brakes and rotors were completly worn out and the emergency brake cable was broken, 1 tire had been plugged in the sidewall and was full of fix-a-flat chemical.

Filed Jul 2, 2001 · Steering · TX

While making a right hand turn from a stop, the steering column fell into my lap. I took it to the dealer the following morning and was informed of a set of 4 pins that work themselves loose. The dealer told me on this particular model it happens rather often. They put the pins back in and glued them to make sure they would not fall out again. About 6 months later, steering wheel and column became extremely wobbly again. I took it back to the dealer and told me the glue must have not held. They reinstalled the pins and glued them back once again. The steering wheel is still loose and shakes. I am afraid they will fall out again. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Filed May 30, 2001 · Electrical · NV

Recall 00 v0287 000. Vehicle has been repaired under recall. However, remedy failed. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Vehicle was repaired on 24-may-2001 at courtesy oldsmobile in los vegas, nv, 702‑221‑8000.

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Questions about the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva

Is the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?

Owners have filed 62 complaints about the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva, close to a typical Achieva model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva?

Steering, with 15 complaints. Next is electrical (14).

How many recalls does the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva have?

2 recalls, covering electrical system and fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva get?

Official estimates for the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-21 city and 27-32 highway.

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