Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was drive along union street in greenville, miss when I notice smoke coming from the hood of the car. I suddenly pull over because the car became engulf in flames. The fireman was called to put the flames out from the vehicle.the car was lost due to the flames and I lost wages due to the car. I contact GMC about the car and they said , the car engulf in flames had nothing to do with them.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva. The contact had her vehicle repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 04V036000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The technician installed a relay kit. Years later, she noticed that the failure recurred. The contact called the dealer in reference to having the ignition switch replaced. Both the dealer and manufacturer stated that because the remedy stated that the ignition switch should only be replaced if necessary, the original recall repair was technically sufficient. The failure still persists. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 157,000.
Car would not start so we took the car in on 1/22/2004 and had to have an ignition module replaced. Cost $492.45 on 2/6/2004 once again car would not start , so we took the car in to a different shop and had to have the ECM module replaced . Cost $629.28 the trunk of this car fills with water, has power surges through the electrical system--noticeable when the heat, defrost or fan has to be used. On occasion the car accelerates on its own. This car has less than 20,000 miles on it and I found out that we are the fourth owners of this vehicle. Could you please let me know if there is anything I can do, as I feel as though I have been sold a"lemon"? The VIN of this car is [redacted] thank you for any information you can give me. [redacted]. Updated 07/27/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva. The contact stated that he attempted to start the ignition repeatedly to no avail. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they advised that the failure was related to the electrical system. The vehicle was repaired yet the failure recurred sporadically and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic eight times and repaired. The steering column was also replaced because the horn would intermittently activate independently. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 02V070000 (electrical system:ignition:switch and stated that she would contact the manufacturer to verify whether her VIN was included the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 05/25/11 updated 07/08/11
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. …
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.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva. The contact was experiencing difficulty starting the vehicle. She would have to depress the accelerator pedal occasionally in order for it to start. While driving 35 MPH, she smelled something burning and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The smell and smoke occurred at random. The vehicle also stalled and completely shut down at least three times. Initially, when the contact would attempt to restart the vehicle, it would immediately restart. After a short time, it would take longer to restart. There were no warning lights before the stalling occurred. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00V287000 (electrical system:starter assembly). The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current mileage was approximately 70,000 and failure mileage was approximately 69,900.
I purchased this vehicle from a private party approximately 4-5 years ago, unbeknownst of the 2000 recall for ignition issues with the ignition switch. Since I have owned this vehicle I have replaced the ignition switch 3 occasions most currently today 3/24/2015. I presume there is a statute of limitations on this issue. I am curious do I still have any re-course in getting this issue resolved or must I out of pocket resolve this issue as I cannot continue to replace these ignition switches.
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the…
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
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.
Electrical system › Starter assembly
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.
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).
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
The protective cover for the underhood fuse center was omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed and can contact the insulated negative battery cable.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.
NHTSA investigations
Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Achieva years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (25), 1995 (20), 1997 (18) and 1998 (12) model years. Electrical complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Achieva electrical problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 04V-036 (switch, Jan 27, 2004); 02V-070 (switch, Mar 6, 2002); 00V-287 (starter assembly, Oct 2, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Achieva electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › switch (21 mentions), followed by the ignition (11).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.