The 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,415,231 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. 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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
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 IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
2crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
INTERIOR LIGHTING
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
Total complaints52
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile achieva. While driving approximately 35 mph, a burning odor was detected from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle idled and stalled without warning. The contact had a certified mechanic check the oil where it was diagnosed that the cooling liquid leaked…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile achieva. While driving approximately 55 mph, the engine stalled and the entire instrument panel would not function. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to an independent mechanic where they informed that the failure was related to the ignition switch.…”
“My gm passlock system has been going on the fritz for well over a year now. Every fix would last a couple of months, weeks than go right back to no working. I keep getting lock out of of the car with the anti thieft. I have a 1998 oldsmobile achieva. I have been locked out of my car for more than…”
“Purchased vehicle in september of 2007, had already had instrument cluster replaced in july of 2006 at yark automotive in toledo, ohio. Frequently fails to start. Had battery and alternator replaced in october 2007. Dealership working on the vehicle now claims the instrument cluster needs to be…”
“1998 oldsmobile achieva. I own the above mentioned car. I have been having a lot of problems with the brakes, namely the abs system. The abs light continually comes on and my abs makes a funny noise. The brakes also clunk several times when the vehicle is first started. I have taken this to be…”
“I purchased a 1998 odlsmobile achieva as a program car in 1998 from bender chevy/olds/cadillac in clovis nm. Since the day I drove off the lot I have had an intermittent problem with the abs system. The abs light on the dash will come on intermittently and the brakes will fail at speeds less then…”
“The consumer received recall notice #04v036000 (ignition switch). The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for repair on 10/11/04. The mechanic replaced relay switch but not the ignition switch. The vehicle was able to be started but will not turn off properly. The mechanic indicated that…”
“Tl*the 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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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