1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Recall campaign#01v068000 windshield wiper linkage breakage will not cover my breakage because I am in a southern state, my VIN is not on their racall list.”
NHTSA complaint #10130080, filed 2005-07, 15,000 miles“While driving at 30 MPH on a down pour, the windshield wipers stopped working. The wipers began to work out of synch and ended crossed up on the windshield. Had to replace the wiper transmission. No recall notice was received.”
NHTSA complaint #10071935, filed 2004-04, 71,000 miles“1) the failure occurred under normal use of wipers in heavy rain. 2) during normal use, the passenger side wiper arm appeared to become dislodged and began moving erratically. After inspection of the wiper assembly it was discovered that the plastic housing that holds the wiper arm to the wiper motor was cracked and broken away from the linkage to the wiper motor. The consequences of this failure is that neither wiper arm operates and this causes hazardous driving conditions by reducing visibility during rain or frost. …”
NHTSA complaint #10206993, filed 2007-10, 154,000 miles“I currently have the following problems with my 1998 olds Cutlass gl. My power steering is stiff and makes a wailing noise. My coolent system has a leak. My heat and air have completey stopped working. I have had problems (in the past that have been repaired_ with my power window locking up (drivers side). The sound system shorted out. The cd player quit working. I have replaced my wiper blades several times and they still do not clear the windshield completely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10114007, filed 2005-03“I was driving on route 9, a major highway here in the city of poughkeepsie and I had mywindshield wipers on because it was raining. Suddenly the passenger side wiper arm stopped moving, causing the driver side wiper to move across it forming an 'x' across the windshield. The wiper system stalled and I couldn't see through the windshield again. Luckily there wasn't too much traffic at the time and I was lucky enough to pull out of the road without crashing into anything. …”
NHTSA complaint #745967, filed 2001-05Related recalls
- 01V068000Mar 8, 2001On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the "salt belt" states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois…Covers: Oldsmobile Cutlass 1997–1998, Chevrolet Malibu 1997–1998
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 9 | 6% |
| 1997 | 7 | 7% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 6 | 4% |
| 1994 | 19 | 13% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 9 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 2 | 3% |
| 1984 | 3 | 19% |
Other parts of the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
41 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsAir bags
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