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Electrical systemPart report

1998 Oldsmobile Achieva Electrical system Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
30%of 40 total for the year
Median mileage
77,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva, 30% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10682349, filed 2015-02, 75,000 miles

“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 an hour and a half at times during the middle of winter. I hate GM and their crappy passlock system. There seems to be enough complaints online about it that u would think they would do something about it.”

NHTSA complaint #10383063, filed 2011-02, 75,000 miles

“Ignition switch failed after tires were installed. The vehicle ignition switch failed prior to recall notice. The consumer submitted all invoices for reimbursement but was denied because the manufacturer claims that the part replaced was not the part covered by the recall or that the documentation provided did not substantiate the request.”

NHTSA complaint #10072102, filed 2004-04, 116,952 miles

“Alternator - 2nd time that goes out in 3 1/2 years. Car bought in 1999 with less than 35000 miles, alternator went out with no warning at 37000 miles in 1999, and now again in jan 2004.”

NHTSA complaint #10054651, filed 2004-01, 139,000 miles

“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. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a recall under NHTSA 04v036000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). The contact was in the process of notifying the manufacturer to verify the VIN being included in the recall defect. The failure mileage was 130,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10353295, filed 2010-09, 13,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
19981230%
19971829%
19962529%
19952029%
19941423%
1993616%
19921325%

Other parts of the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva

Engine cooling
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsInterior lighting
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 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