1994 Oldsmobile Achieva
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › Achieva › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
62 complaints7 involved a crash6 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Starter assembly
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.
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module · Electrical system › Horn
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…
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. *ak
- Service brakes, air › Antilock · Unknown or other · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
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…
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
- Electrical system
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
- Electrical system › Starter assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The vehicle cut off as the consumer was driving into the driveway. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer regarding the recall notice received on 12/2001 (00v-287). The dealer said the motor needed to be replaced. *yh
- Air bags › Frontal
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.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
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. *tt
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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…
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.. *Ak
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
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. *Ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
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…
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.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.*ak
- Air bags · Steering › Column
Tilt mechanism "sprung" wheel swings up and down effects ability to drive car. Airbag performance could be comprimised because steering wheel swings up and down. Lights on dash or headlights may not function when high beam turned on or off by stalk on st
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Cylinder head IS cracked. oldsmobile had recalled the 1992 and 1993 achievas for the same problem. the smell of antifreeze IS coming into the car and also the car IS stalling while driving.*ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
While driving steering wheel falls down onto drivers lap due to bolts disengaging and causing loss of control. please give any further details.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch
Headlights switch has a shortage. problem IS intermittent, headlights go out and sometimes don't come back on. Switch has to be toyed with to come back on. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Recall 00v287000/ ignition switch caused turn signal to be inoperative which IS a safety feature. deaelr IS not willing to help because it's not part of recall. *ak fire and heat generated in the steering column could possibly damage other parts. the engine does not start and run because the ignition switch was not supplying power to park neutral switch and was replaced. *yh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle was parked outside of consumer's home. she went inside of vehicle and started it up, and smoke was coming from dashboard area. she got out of vehicle and there were flames everywhere. fire department were notified. There were no injuries. *ak the vehicle stalled four times and the cause was found to be the ignition switch failure. *yh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Consumer had received manufacturer's recall 000779-s concerning ignition system failure. notice stated that recall will be taken care off in january, but consumer did not feel safe about the recall. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While starting vehicle engine would not turn . Also, key hole was too hot to touch. Please provide further information.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Motor had a cracked head. oldsmobile acknowledges faulty head gaskets on 1992 and 1993 models and states they have fixed the problem. the mechanic says that our head gaskets cracked in the exact locations of '92' and '93 models that he repaired. he feels that oldsmobile did not repair the head…
Motor had a cracked head. oldsmobile acknowledges faulty head gaskets on 1992 and 1993 models and states they have fixed the problem. the mechanic says that our head gaskets cracked in the exact locations of '92' and '93 models that he repaired. he feels that oldsmobile did not repair the head in our 1994 achieve that was built in november 1993. we believe that oldsmobile needs to extend their coverage to include 1994 models. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
The placement of liquid line hose was against fan housing and rubbed a hole in the hose. which caused all of the freon to leak out of the system.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Failure to start during periods of hot weather. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
At 70,000 miles my engine had a blown head gasket and a cracked head which has cost me a total of $1000.00 for parts and labor. I contacted g.m. And they told me '93 & '92 models were reacalled for this same exact problem, however my car does not have a recall. I feel I should be reimbursed for my cost since my engine problem IS identical to the previous recall. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering wheel fell into drivers lap when making a right turn into a drive way. Streering column dropped into driver lap and steering was impossible!!*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10009220Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as intermittent or hard failures. Gm voicemail express.
- 10007816Anti-lock braking system (ABS) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 10007293ABS front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 10000782Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 622945Some customers may want to tow their vehicle behind another vehicle with all four tires ont he ground. This bulletin provides information regarding recreational (dinghy) towing for certain vehicles including the 1996 through 2000 toyota cavalier.
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 619360Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors.
- 618103Information regarding ignition switch high electrical current.
- 617765Campaign parts bulletin regarding ignition switch high electrical current.
- 617752Subject regarding 00079 - product safety campaign ignition switch high electrical current - part 2.
- 617751Subject regarding product safety campaign ignition switch high electrical current - part 1.
- 617747Subject regarding 00079 - product safety campaign ignition switch high electrical current.
- 615073Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that IS generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not reappear until the next change of oil.
- 613590Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies. **Mr
- 604343Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 602983Concerns of door handles on white painted vehicles truning yellow.
- 601915Comments on a ticking type noise that begins shortly after cold engine start-up and gradually diminishes as the engine warms up.
- 600282Some vehicles may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 54418Some vehicles experience difficulties to depress accelerator pedal and/or an accelerator cable separation.
- 54329Complaints that the ABS indicator lamp IS "on".
- 54066Subject pertaining to driveability symptoms due to fuel injector deposits.
- 54065Comments on inoperative power door locks (front and/or rear doors).
- 52580Difficult to depress accelerator pedal and/or accelerator cable separation (install accelerator cable and clip).
- 52339Squawk noise coming from front suspension or engine compartment area (install ultra high molecular tape).
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 51301Engine miss (replace spark plug wire and ignition coil).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 45815Cold engine tick or rattle after start-up (replace piston/pin assembly).
- 43031Unknown
- 43030Unknown
- 43021Unknown
- 39725Oil leak at the rocker cover.
- 39308Cold start rattle noise.
Every Oldsmobile Achieva model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.