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..
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva electrical problems
25 complaints (29% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 150,000.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- typical mileage
- 150,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition: switch8
- Wiring: interior/under dash3
- Ignition3
- Ignition: module2
- Ignition: anti-theft: control module2
- Horn2
- Wiring1
- Starter assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Oldsmobile Achieva electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
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
What 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Car was at dealer on 8/17/99 who had to replace the sensor-ox 3.682 part due to a shorted relay and damaged sensor at a cost of $337.44. The alternator overheated and burned and had to be replaced june 29, 2001 at a cost of $453.98, including towing of the car to the service station. The serp belt was also damaged and replaced. On the federal safety agency website, there are numerous entries listed for the sensor, serp belt, and alternator repairs. All of these repairs occurred before the official recall on february 27, 2002 (recall for dealer to install relay kit to prevent short and ignition switch failure and fire). The build dates involved were 5/1/95 7/31/96, mine was built within these dates, december 1995. Would like to be reimbursed for repairs paid for prior to federal recall (791.42).
Alternator,serp belt tensioner, serp belt, r& r alternator,r & r belt tensioner ... The tension acutally broke off and destroyed the other parts. How can this happen???? For only 43000 miles on this car thats ridiculous... Any help here/?
Vehicle cuts off and any speed for no reason. Then it takes anywhere from 2 to 7 mins to get it restarted and that is onl;y if u put it in "n" and turn it all the way off, then back on. This is a safety hazard. Is it going to take a death b4 gmc searches for the problem. This happens on the freeway or street.
Vehicle was taken to dealer for recall# 02v070000 subject: electrical system: ignition switch. After the repair, ignition short circuited,causing a fire in the dashboard.
The consumer stated that the alternator was not charging and the battery failed as the result of the dealer?s poor recall repair previously in which wiring harness and a relay were installed.
Consumer states ignition switch failed prior to recall notification relating to the ignition switch. Vehicle had to be towed. Consumer is requesting reimbrusement. Manufacturer notified. *tt
Prior to receiving recall notification (02v070000) consumer experienced problems with the ignition switch not operating and had to have the vehicle towed, consumer is requesting reimbursement.
Questions about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva electrical
Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the electrical of the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, 29% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 150,000 miles.
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).
Other 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva problems
Airbags 16Engine 15Brakes 12Suspension 9Lights 6Seat belts 5Acceleration 4Transmission 4Visibility 4Fuel system 2Body 1
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