1996 Oldsmobile Achieva airbags problems

16 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 129,970. 8 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 16
of this car's complaints: 18%
typical mileage: 129,970
crashes: 8
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Frontal
9
Frontal: sensor/control module
2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Oldsmobile Achieva airbags problems in other years

Related recalls

Air bags: frontalReported October 28, 1996 · 48,689 vehicles affected

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

What 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 27, 2008 · Airbags · 75,000 miles · NY

Front air bags (driver and passenger) deployed for no apparent reason.

Filed Jan 17, 2008 · Airbags · NY · crash · 1 injury

Passenger in vehicle sustained serious eye injury due to a faulty air bag on this particular vehicle - .

Filed Jan 24, 2007 · Airbags, Body · 70,986 miles · NY

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.

Filed Oct 23, 2006 · Airbags · 129,970 miles · OH · 1 injury

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2004 · Airbags · 65,695 miles · NV · crash

While driving 65 MPH vehicle was involved in a rear end crash. Upon impact, airbags failed to deploy.

Filed Dec 16, 2003 · Airbags · 130,000 miles · NY

In regards of your defect investigation# iq3001, I have a problem with my control module, its not working now due to it got wet, now my airbag light stays on and I'm just waiting for it to deploy when I'm driving down the road, so maybe then when it kills someone a recall will be done on it. It is a poor location for the module anyways.

Filed Oct 30, 2002 · Airbags · MD · crash

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 ts

Filed Nov 26, 2001 · Airbags · NY · crash · 1 injury

My wife was involved in a motor vehicle accident in which the vehicle in question never deployed the air bags. If they opened my wife would not have sustained any injuries.I'd like to know why.

Filed Feb 21, 2000 · Airbags · NE

Driving home approx 3:30 p.m. , clear day, dry pavement when the airbags deployed for no apparent reason. Car is currently at reagan olds - omaha, ne. Their service dept. Could not find any reason why the bags deployed. Currently waiting for investigator from gm to perform vehicle inspection, and access a computor the dealer can't to try and find out why. I was not in an accident, to be the best of my knowledge, the vehicle has never been in a accident. I don't think I ran over anything in the road, unless it just fell off the car ahead of me.

Filed Jun 16, 1999 · Airbags · IL

Defective design and location of the driver's side airbag sensor malfunctioned due to water building up underneath the passenger's seat, and caused driver's side airbag to deploy unexpectedly, causing injuries. The vehicle is equipped with driver and passenger side airbags.

Questions about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva airbags

Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the airbags of the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, 18% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 129,970 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 96V211000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.