1992 Oldsmobile 98 Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 127,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 1992 Oldsmobile 98 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1992 Oldsmobile 98. The part named most often is brakes, with 16 complaints (42% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 127,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
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.
- Brakes16 42%
- Electrical system8 21%
- Air bags3 7.9%
- Engine cooling2 5.3%
- Exterior lighting2 5.3%
- Fuel system2 5.3%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.3%
- Other or unknown1 2.6%
Also reported: Seat belts (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Poor ABS brake performance, during a panic stop situation , the pedal was soft, and very limited braking was expeirenced. The rear return springs have been replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #805019, filed 1996-11Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1992 Oldsmobile 98. The alternator failed while driving 25 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer would not assist because the vehicle was purchased as is. The current mileage was 170,000 and failure mileage was 166,000. Updated 10-29-08 the consumer stated the water pump failed. Updated 10/30/08.”
NHTSA complaint #10208769, filed 2007-11, 166,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “While attempting to drive to work on a cold day my car started slowing down, eventually it go to were I had to pull off the highway because my car did not have any drive forward or backward any longer. I keep my car in perfect condition it only 105,970 miles. Once I realized that my car was not going to move I had it towed which cost me over$100.00 to an Oldsmobile dealer in chiefland, it was the service department that informed me the next week that my transmission flew apart I then had to fork out $2417.39 to have it replaced with a remanufactured one from GM. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008094, filed 2003-02, 105,970 milesAir bags: “While driving driver's side airbag didn't deploy, but the fumes came out of it. Consumer was on the highway & had to leave vehicle in the middle of the highway. Consumer's husband moved the vehicle, and the airbag popped out, almost causing vehicle to crash into building. Dealer repaired problem at no charge.”
NHTSA complaint #859986, filed 2000-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 105,970 and 166,000 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 1992 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
- 96V015000Jan 23, 1996Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and linesCovers: Oldsmobile 98 1992–1993, Silhouette 1992–1995, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1992–1995 +5 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
Recall details for the 1992 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 1992 Oldsmobile 98 have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1992 Oldsmobile 98 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Oldsmobile 98 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 16 complaints (42% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.
Has the 1992 Oldsmobile 98 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Oldsmobile 98 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 127,000 miles and the middle half falls between 105,970 and 166,000 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 29, 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.