1990 Oldsmobile 98 Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Oldsmobile 98 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1990 Oldsmobile 98. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and body and structure (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 160,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes4 24%
- Engine cooling3 18%
- Body and structure3 18%
- Electrical system2 12%
- Steering2 12%
- Fuel system1 5.9%
- Seat belts1 5.9%
Also reported: Seats (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Original ABS pump motor failed on 10/10/99. This motor was replaced with a GM original equipment part. This replacement pump failed in less than 30 days and was suspected as being a faulty pump and was again replaced with another GM origial part. On 07/12/99 this replacement pump failed. All three failures resulted in loss of braking capability.”
NHTSA complaint #726020, filed 2000-07Engine cooling: “While driving, vehicle lost power steering, the battery and alternator went bad. This cause the vehicle to be inoperative. The dealership indicated that the harmoic balancer located in the engine had went out. Please provide more details. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10001238, filed 2002-12, 160,000 milesBody and structure: “The frame underneath the vehicle unexpectedly sheared off while driving,. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Had the vehicle towed home. Consumer will contact the dealer the next day.”
NHTSA complaint #10097814, filed 2004-10Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 160,000 and 160,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Oldsmobile 98. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 · sedan | not rated | 5 / – | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 Oldsmobile 98 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Oldsmobile 98.
Other model years of the Oldsmobile 98
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 27 | 81,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 30 | 51,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 10 | 230,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 30 | 113,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 16 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 13 | 124,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 38 | 127,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 47 | 145,985 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 17 | 160,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 11 | 117,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 10 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 15 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 9 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Oldsmobile 98 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Oldsmobile 98 have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1990 Oldsmobile 98 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Oldsmobile 98 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1990 Oldsmobile 98 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Oldsmobile 98 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 160,000 miles and the middle half falls between 160,000 and 160,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.