1997 Oldsmobile 98 Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles, 3 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 1997 Oldsmobile 98 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile 98. The part named most often is seat belts, with 15 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and visibility (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins 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.
- Seat belts15 50%
- Electrical system3 10%
- Engine cooling2 6.7%
- Suspension2 6.7%
- Brakes1 3.3%
- Engine1 3.3%
- Other or unknown1 3.3%
- Seats1 3.3%
- Steering1 3.3%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Rea seat belts unable to fasten them to secure passengers. Buckles recessed to far into rear seat cushion. Requires asistance tobuckles passengers belts. Very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10051335, filed 2003-12, 36,823 milesEngine cooling: “Vehicle has stalled 7 times at various speeds. Dealer has inspected vehicle twice, but could not find the cause. To stop engine stalling, the dealer replaced the crank shaft position sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #8010878, filed 2002-06Mileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,823 and 97,595 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 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
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. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10017568Sep 1, 2005Vehicle speed control. Intermittent chuggle or fishbite on light acceleration or a highway speeds with no diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs).
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 1997 Oldsmobile 98 have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile 98 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Oldsmobile 98 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 15 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1997 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 1997 Oldsmobile 98 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,823 and 97,595 miles; 33% 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.
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.