The 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,593,412 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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…
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. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE…
Consequence
THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
7
1crashes1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
6
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5
2crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
AIR BAGS
3
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
3
Total complaints108
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile achieva. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed. The contact sustained a contusion to the face and left hand. The contact indicated that the vehicle was not involved a crash when the incident…”
“The air bags deployed by there self no accident and not moving I was at a stand still .first the driver air bag deployed and then a few seconds later the passenger side deployed. I do not know if there are factory installed air bags in the car? As I bought the car second hand less then a year ago.…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile achieva. The contact stated that while attempting to start the ignition, the air bag deployed. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning lamp was illuminated a few days prior to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile achieva. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when the key was inserted into the ignition. As of september 28, 2007, the dealer had not inspected or repaired the vehicle. There is a recall for the electrical system: ignition: switch (nhtsa…”
“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…”
“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…”
“While driving, the consumers seat reclined without warning. *jb”
“Water pump is leaking and making bearing noise the estimated cost of repairs is $600. *jb”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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