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 weeks later they still can't get my car fixed so it will run,this is what it does,security light comes on and off flashing until it comes on fully all the time,dies and refuses to start, so I done some looking on the internet and found out that just about all of the achieva, malibu's,basically all g.m. Cars from early 90's- upper 90's all have this problem and it can happen while the car is being driven in some cases, so I fill like if this is not took care of it could cause a wreck,fire or an accident of some kind being it is the # 1 thing to go wrong with this kind and year model's of olds-achieva, just was wondering if my car got missed on recall or if it should be recalled, I'm about half way afraid to drive it even if it gets fixed, that it will do it again and me be driving it next time, please let me know if there is any help for my car to get recalled..
The worst 1996 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.
- Electrical25
- Airbags16
- Engine15
- Brakes12
- Suspension9
- Lights6
- Seat belts5
- Acceleration4
- Transmission4
- Visibility4
- Fuel system2
- Body1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva
Recalls 4
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
- 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 an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, buick at 1‑800‑521‑7300, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V070000 · Recall details
Interior lighting
- What is wrong
- 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 requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
- Risk
- The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
Recall number 98V027000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
- What is wrong
- 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 equipment."
- Risk
- If these lamps were not flashing, other vehicles would not be aware that this vehicle was stopped increasing the risk of an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.
Recall number 96V250000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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 under the instrument panel instead of through the door in the instrument panel.
- Risk
- In a crash, the front seat passenger could receive more severe injuries if he or she contacts a broken reinforcement or if the snagging affects the deployment of the air bag.
- 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 panel pad will be replaced.
Recall number 96V211000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva 56
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- ABS pump running when not needed
- 4T40E or 4T45E will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes
- Vehicle will not move in either direction
- Some customers may want to tow their vehicle behind another vehicle with all four tires ont he ground
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 29-30 | 23 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 27 | 21 |
What 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 oldsmobile achieva. The contact was driving 5 MPH when the check engine light illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a mechanic. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the VIN did not qualify for the federal safety agency recall campaign number 07e015000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 134,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 oldsmobile achieva. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change, the mechanic stated that the transaxle had an oil leak near the cv joint. The current mileage was 76,000 and failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 07/08/08. *bf the transaxle seal was leaking fluid near the cv joint. Updated
Front air bags (driver and passenger) deployed for no apparent reason.
Passenger in vehicle sustained serious eye injury due to a faulty air bag on this particular vehicle - .
Vehicle continually refuses to start due to pass lock and leaves us stranded. Dealer replaced ipc and ignition switch twice, but problem remained. Spent $1000, and its still the same. Reading all the same problems with various gm vehicles showing, there should be a recall.
Pass lock 1 security system will not allow the car to start. The car thinks that I am stealing it and does not allow gasoline to flow to the fuel injectors. Took it to garage and cost $500 to replace the instrument cluster panel which houses the security sensors.
The air bag light went on and stayed on in my 1996 oldsmobile achieva. I was referred to my dealer by my mechanic who diagnosed a air bag safety module problem that was recalled by gm as per "all data". The dealer referred me to gm warranty hotline when the VIN # did not match a recall through the gm database. The entire repair was estimated by the dealer to be approximately $3000.00 using vintage auto parts on the harness for the module. This safety issue was caused by a body leak that collected water and shorted out the safety module. I can't drive the vehicle do to the danger of possible inflation of the airbag with out warning, as per the recall notice that gm says never occurred. Gm won't help in the repair because although the vehicle has less than 100,000 miles and met the 10 year mark on 10/31/06. I've been warned not to drive the vehicle with this problem by the gm dealer, while being presented with a $3,000.00 repair bill on a car that is in good running order otherwise. It seems gm should be responsible for this problem.
Dt*: the contact stated the hazard lights failed. After doing research on the internet, the contact notified the service dealer and manufacturer about a the federal safety agency recall # 96v250000, regarding the exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights. The service dealer and manufacturer informed the contact the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
While driving my 1996 olds achieva southbound on I-271 in ne ohio both frontal airbags deployed. Conditions were good. Pavement was dry. There was no type of impact. Caused me to swerve and nearly lose control of the vehicle. Have severe chest pains. I am trying to get something done to correct this now.
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Questions about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva
Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?
Owners have filed 87 complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, 1.4 times a typical Achieva model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva?
Electrical system, with 25 complaints, typically around 150,000 miles. Next is airbags (16).
How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva have?
4 recalls, covering electrical system, interior lighting and exterior lighting.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V070000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Oldsmobile Achieva have the most electrical problems?
The Oldsmobile Achieva model years with the most electrical complaints are 1996 (25 complaints), 1995 (20 complaints) and 1997 (18 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva range from 21 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 29-30 highway.
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