The 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 701,298 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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."
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
9
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
9
1crashes2fires1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5
4crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
5
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
4
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
3
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
2
1crashes2injuries
Total complaints85
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA00007 Opened 2000-03-03 · closed 2001-02-07
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.