Oldsmobile 98 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 286 consumer complaints across the 14 model years of the Oldsmobile 98 (1985–1998) that have at least 5 complaints. 1991 has the most, with 47. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (66 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 98 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 27 | 81,500 | 0 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 30 | 51,000 | 0 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 10 | 230,000 | 2 | 5 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 30 | 113,000 | 2 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 16 | — | 1 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 13 | 124,000 | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 38 | 127,000 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 47 | 145,985 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 17 | 160,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 11 | 117,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 10 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 15 | — | 3 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 9 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes66 26%
- Electrical system38 15%
- Engine cooling33 13%
- Air bags29 11%
- Seat belts28 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain24 9.4%
- Steering22 8.7%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)14 5.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1997: “While getting on the freeway the engine just stopped. I noticed the steering wheel froze, and looked down and saw that the lights had come in and the engine had stopped. I was able to put in park and start the engine. No further problems the rest of that trip. About a month later the same thing happened to my daughter. Engine shut off while getting on freeway and she wa able to start car back up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10662273, filed 2014-12, 97,595 miles1998: “My 1998 Oldsmobile regency was losing coolant. I could not see a visible leak. The check engine indicator light came on, so I took the vehicle to be serviced. The mechanic found the upper intake (plenum) to be leaking the coolant into the engine (cylinder #3.) the leak was caused due to the fact that the intake plenum is made of plastic. I intend to send Oldsmobile a copy of my bill which was $533.32. Why would a company make a part such as this out of plastic? …”
NHTSA complaint #10153116, filed 2006-03, 88,950 miles1991: “I smelled what seemed to be burning wire coming from inside my vehicle while I was driving. Shortly thereafter I noticed smoke coming from the steering wheel. Subsequently, the airbag deployed while I was operating the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10114724, filed 2005-03, 115,970 milesOther Oldsmobile models
1,955 complaintsOldsmobile Cutlass
1,594 complaintsOldsmobile Intrigue
1,138 complaintsOldsmobile Bravada
960 complaintsOldsmobile Silhouette
950 complaintsOldsmobile 88
918 complaintsOldsmobile Aurora
779 complaintsOldsmobile Achieva
413 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology