1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 13%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva, 13% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. There was no record of the car being in a accident and car never been totaled out. I do not know why it happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10509487, filed 2013-04, 130,000 miles“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 occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. ..updated 12/02/14”
NHTSA complaint #10649591, filed 2014-10, 150,000 miles“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 made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10451857, filed 2012-03, 90,000 miles“On 3/30/99 was driving 70 MPH on smooth interstate, dry road conditions when driver side airbag deployed for no reason. Was able to pull car to side of road. Contacted GM that afternoon after returning from the emergency room. Suffered whiplash and strained back and neck muscles. Gm took report. Went several months with no info from them. Gm contacted us to try to settle, because of time and doctor bills involved, we employed an attorney. Gm told us because we got an attorney that they would not settle as quick. …”
NHTSA complaint #713788, filed 1999-10“Consumer was in a front end accident at 30 MPH . Upon impact, driver's side air bag deployed as it should have. However, passenger's side air bag did not deploy until after the accident. Child was thrown into windshield, and suffered a crushed chest dealer has not been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #848986, filed 1999-09Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva
18 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology