1995 Oldsmobile 98: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (18% of complaints); the 1993 and 1994 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 1994
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 oldsmobile 98. While driving 65 mph, sparks appeared in the engine compartment and the engine shut off. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The contact pulled off the road and the engine compartment burst into flames. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and they stated that the cause was due to a gas leak. The vehicle was towed. There were no injuries. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 oldsmobile 98 royal. While driving 45 mph, the driver side air bag suddenly deployed without warning. The contact had to hold the air bag down and pull over to the side of the road to prevent a crash. The contact suffered soreness in his neck and ribs. He also has an abrasion on his arm from the failure. He notified the dealer and the manufacturer and they stated that the air bag deployment was caused by the moisture in the component. They offered him a settlement to purchase the vehicle, however, they would not replace the air bags or give him a new vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 184,716.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2007
“Airbags deployed without reason under normal driving conditions causing windshield to break and due to cost to repair dash and airbags caused car to be a total loss. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Returned fuel line for the 3.8l engine was leaking fuel onto the engine. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that the fuel line is on back order for 2-3 months. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2001
“When driving and when attempting to make a left hand turn vehicle was very hard to steer to left. Consumer has taken vehicle to the dealer, who determined that rack and pinion steering needed replacing. *ak consumer also states front struts were failing and was replaced.*jb”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2001
“The driver's air bag is much bigger than the steering wheel, during an accident it violently deployed and blew the consumers hand off the wheel with such force that it broke her wrist (right) and resulted in 3rd degree burns to the left arm, the passenger side air bag did not deploy towards the passenger but went up through the windshield, the consumer believes that these air bags are old and outdated and believes they should be removed. Nlm”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2001
“Brakes/accelerator failed causing vehile to continue forward while pulling in driveway, demolishing shrubbery and fence in yard. Nlm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 1999
“The bolts that hold the engine mounts to the steering column broke off while the vehicle was going at 60mph, resulting in loss of steering control. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 1999
“Carbon on the throttle body plate due to blow by or oil usage resulted in throttle sticking and vehicle suddenly accelerating.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 1999
“Air bag light keeps coming on. Took to dealer & service mechanic took dash apart to locate problem. Could not locate it. Air bag light off while vehicle was off. Came back on when vehicle turned on. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 1997
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH LIGHTING CONTROL MODULES WHICH CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT LEAKAGE DUE TO DAMAGED SURFACE MOUNTING CAPACITORS. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND PARKING LAMPS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP MODULE.
A SPRING IN THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE HEAD PARK LAMP SWITCH CAN FAIL PREVENTING LATCHING OF THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE SWITCH IN THE "ON" POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT HEAD/PARK LAMP SWITCH BUILD DATE CODES AND REPLACE SWITCHES WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES.
How other years compare
Check your exact 98 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Oldsmobile 98 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Oldsmobile 98. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Oldsmobile 98 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 121,000 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Oldsmobile 98 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.