1991 Oldsmobile 98 Problems
- Complaints
- 47filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 145,985miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 1991 Oldsmobile 98 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 1991 Oldsmobile 98. The part named most often is brakes, with 19 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and air bags (7). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 145,985 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the mechanical filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Brakes19 40%
- Electrical system8 17%
- Air bags7 15%
- Engine cooling4 8.5%
- Equipment4 8.5%
- Exterior lighting1 2.1%
- Other or unknown1 2.1%
- Seat belts1 2.1%
Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “This is total break failure.pedal goes to the floor. Three pumps & brakes worked fine. Had sys.purged & master cylinder replaced by olds dealer. This same incindence of total loss of brakes has happened four times now. First time was in 1994, last time happened today.11/16/1999 also had replaced 2nd master cyinder. One & one half yrs. Ago.”
NHTSA complaint #714867, filed 1999-11Electrical system: “The jack which is supplied in the vehicle, is difficult to handle. The instructions say to locate the groove in the lift head of the jack into the notch of the frame for safety ration. This vehicle is not equipped with any notches. The bumper does not support the weight of the vehicle when using the bumper jack.”
NHTSA complaint #566883, filed 2002-08Air bags: “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 milesEngine cooling: “Consumer had noticed a strong vibration coming from engine. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and they replaced engine valve to find a solution, but did not help and the problem still there. Please provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #8003961, filed 2002-02Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 115,970 and 176,000 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 1991 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
- 91V198000Nov 14, 1991Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Oldsmobile 98 1991, Pontiac Bonneville 1991
The console mounted shift lever may disengage from the shift control cable bracket causing loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
- 91V167000Sep 23, 1991Parking brake › Conventional › MechanicalCovers: Oldsmobile 98 1991, Buick Lesabre 1992, Pontiac Bonneville 1992 +2 more
When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.
Recall details for the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1991 Oldsmobile 98 have?
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 19 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.
Has the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 145,985 miles and the middle half falls between 115,970 and 176,000 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 30, 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.