1997 Oldsmobile 98: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (52% of complaints); the 1996 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
30
owner complaints
0
fire reports
51,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaignsWeak spot: seat belts (52%)
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Seat Belts52% · 15 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)10% · 3 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)7% · 2 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)7% · 2 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)7% · 2 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)3% · 1 complaint
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2003
“I own a 1997 oldsmobile regency v6-3800 3.8l, VIN: [xxx]. The intake manifold is leaking coolant, and the cost to replace is approx. $800~$1000, due to a gasket failure. I don't feel that the gasket should have failed so soon. The service dept. At olds tells me that their are gasket problems with 3.1l as well as 3.8l, which is what I have. I would like to know if there are other complaints on this same issue, and what is being done, or is my problem normal. Please respond asap. Thank you, [xxx]. *nlm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2003
“Vehicle has stalled 7 times at various speeds. Dealer has inspected vehicle twice, but could not find the cause.*ak to stop engine stalling, the dealer replaced the crank shaft position sensor. *yh”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“Intermittently when the vehicle is in reverse, it does not engage. The vehicle spins like it is in neutral. It has been serviced numerous times, same problem reoccurred. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 1997
“Rear seat buckle extension too short, dealer put a sleeve around extension but did not lengthen the extension to fix the problem.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 1997
“Consumer's wife weight is 125lbs. She got into the rear seat of the vehicle, but could not be properly restrained. The rear seat belts were to0 short to fasten around her. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 1997
“Female parts in three rear seat seat belts are too short, can't get a good grip to plug them into the male ends. Consumer stated that in winter time while having on a lot of clothes belts are impossible to fasten, so consumer is not properly restrained.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 1997
“Going hwy speed (60mph) when vehicle started to wonder for no reason. Took to dealer & was informe that stablizer link was missing from right front wheel. Dealership order part that was missing off of vehicle.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 1997
“Consumers seat belts are not long enough to accomodate passengers, thee rear seat belts are sunken into the cushions ,when pulled out they do not reach. Dealer said they would give extedners when called, consumer was told they had to be obese to receive it. Oldsmobile said they would have something in september, retrofits have not been received, consumers front driver seat belt is so far behind the lock that it does not reach, and the rear seat has three belts that are not long enough. *ak consumer states receptacle is too short.*jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 1997
“Automatic air conditioner/heating system turns the temperature down to 60 degrees erratically, causing windshield to fog in freezing weather.”Owner report · Visibility
How other years compare
Check your exact 98 by VIN
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Is the 1997 Oldsmobile 98 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Oldsmobile 98. The most complained-about area is seat belts (52% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile 98 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.