1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 14%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,051miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 14% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,051 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Recall on 1998 olds Cutlass- I was not notified of such recall on steering: rack and pinion. I am paying out of pocket for this repair and am getting a run around from Oldsmobile. My car is being serviced at a non-GM facility. Oldsmobile is very inconsistant and unreliable, especially when it comes to safety and customer service. I will never buy a GM vehicle, and recommend that my friends/family not buy one either. Gm is not customer oriented and this is very dissappointing.”
NHTSA complaint #10134164, filed 2005-08, 163,586 miles“Steering making noise after both power steering pump and steering rack began leaking fluid. Dealership has replaced power steering pump (4 times) and power steering rack (4 times), but grinding noise persists. Dealership has been very accommodating and has assigned three different technicians in an attempt to solve this problem. After reading other complaints on this site, I now understand why dealership has been unable to fix this problem after repeated attempts. I am now concerned about my safety while driving the vehicle. I am also concerned if the problem can ever be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10047700, filed 2003-11, 118,000 miles“A week after I bought the car used in october 2002 there was noise from front left end of vehicle....there is another noise that comes from the steering when turning the wheels trying to park the car.....I took the car back to the dealer and they said they don't hear anything...also I had the car checked out the same day for the brakes...there was a squealing noise on the front left side and the car wouldn't brake properly...the dealer replaced the left brake pad..I haven't had any trouble with the brakes since...three weeks later I took the car back to the dealer for the steering noises and…”
NHTSA complaint #10014097, filed 2003-04, 37,950 miles“Frame, where steering rack bolts to, rusted out. Steering rack became separated from the frame causing a dangerous steering condition. Frame needs to be replaced at a very high cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10537788, filed 2013-08, 141,000 miles“Steering feels strange wheel has a tug to it when making turns.. Left turns require more steering effort than right turns also steering wheel squeaks when turning in either direction. This has been going on even when the car was still under warranty.. Car has just 25,000 miles on it, afraid there is something wrong with the rack and pinion.”
NHTSA complaint #10021496, filed 2003-06, 15,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V527000Dec 11, 2003Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These…Covers: Oldsmobile Cutlass 1997–1998, Buick Regal 1996–1998, Chevrolet Lumina 1997–1998 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 10020731Sep 1, 2006Revised tilt steering wheel and column fastener tightening specifications.
- 10013031Jan 29, 2004Power steering gear lower pinion bearing, safety recall 03062.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 | 4% |
| 1998 | 21 | 14% |
| 1997 | 20 | 21% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 4 | 3% |
| 1991 | 17 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
| 1989 | 9 | 8% |
| 1988 | 5 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 19% |
| 1986 | 3 | 13% |
| 1985 | 3 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
41 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology