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1994 Oldsmobile Achieva

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Achieva.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva is a passenger car that, according to owner data, logged 72 total complaints with steering identified as the leading problem area and was subject to two recalls. These figures place it within the 1992‑2000 complaint history for the model, which saw a high of 100 complaints in 1996 and a low of just three in 2000. Consequently, the 1994 model year falls below the peak trouble year but above the later‑era low, indicating a moderate reliability position in the Achieva’s timeline.

Model year1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 25322835
Engine air filter	25099735
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued
Spark plug	19302728 alt 19302726
Front wiper blades	22155381
Serpentine belt	88984195 alt 24572563
Thermostat	24507563 alt 24577288

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	187.8 in
Overall width	67.3 in
Overall height	53.1 in
Wheelbase	103.5 in
Curb weight	2716 lb
Track (front / rear)	55.5 / 55.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva logged 72 complaints and 2 federal recalls, which is higher than the 1993 figures of 55 complaints and 1 recall but lower than the 1995 totals of 88 complaints and 1 recall. Its 48 technical service bulletins exceed the 1993 count of 27 and are near the 1995 level of 64, reflecting a modest rise in documented service actions. The complaint trajectory climbs through 1994, peaks at 100 complaints and 6 recalls in 1996, and then declines, so 1994 sits on the upward slope before the peak. The dominant complaint categories — steering, hydraulic service brakes, electrical system, and engine cooling — each account for double‑digit complaint counts. Consequently, while 1994 is not the worst year, it is less desirable than later model years with fewer issues, making it a modest choice only if priced accordingly.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 6 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’92 ’93’94’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’00

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 72 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering11

Service Brakes, Hydraulic10

Electrical System9

Engine & Engine Cooling9

Air Bags6

Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System4

Equipment3

Structure3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V287000Electrical System:Starter AssemblyReported 02/10/2000

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… 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…

94V122000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 01/07/1994

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… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 48 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696D	2019-09-05	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696C	2018-05-31	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
130089009	2013-09-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
04152004	2004-04-15	Service Brakes, Air	VEHICLES MAY SET ANYONE OR A COMBINATION OF FRONT-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Achieva. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 25099735 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 19302728

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules

Frequently asked

Does the 1994 Achieva have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.