1998 Oldsmobile 98 Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 81,500miles, 6 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 1998 Oldsmobile 98 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1998 Oldsmobile 98. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and tires (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Engine cooling8 30%
- Air bags4 15%
- Tires3 11%
- Electrical system2 7.4%
- Fuel system2 7.4%
- Body and structure2 7.4%
- Brakes1 3.7%
- Other or unknown1 3.7%
- Seat belts1 3.7%
Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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 milesAir bags: “Dt: 1996 Oldsmobile 98 elite. The consumer stated the vehicle hit a deer, and the passenger's side air bag did not deploy. The driver's side air bag did deploy. This air bag had a big hole in it, almost 6-7 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. Also it had a burned look to it. No one investigated to see why it had a hole. The was totaled. The consumer's granddaughter sustained a deviated septum. A police report was taken.”
NHTSA complaint #10133570, filed 2005-08Tires: “Consumer states vehicle is shimmying when brakes are applied, dealer has completed a brake job, turned front brake rotors, replaced front brake rotors, problem still continues.”
NHTSA complaint #565525, filed 2002-05Transmission and drivetrain: “Consumer stated the shifter shaft would slide to 2nd gear and not click to 1st,the dealer found a loose nut and tightened it on the shifter shaft and adjusted the cable. Consumer feels this is a factory defect. The dealer also fixed a loose cradle bolt because the consumer heard a clunk noise after braking or when starting the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #566170, filed 2002-06Mileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 88,950 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 1998 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 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
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 1998 Oldsmobile 98 have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1998 Oldsmobile 98 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Oldsmobile 98 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 1998 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 1998 Oldsmobile 98 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,500 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 88,950 miles; 17% 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.
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.