1998 Oldsmobile 98: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 1996 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
27
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
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 campaigns
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 27 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)6 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)4 complaints
Tires2 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)2 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)2 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)2 complaints
“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? By the way, my indicator light is still on, so I will need to have a dealer check it out, as the original mechanic can find no reason for it remaining lit. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2006
“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. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2005
“Coolant leaked out the intake manifold. Had to replaced intake manifold and gaskets. *bf e-mailed consumer response exhaust gases had gotten into the plastic upper manifold had thermally broke down the plastic and caused the leak. *sc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Intake manifold, made of plastic, ruptured dumping coolant into cylinders. Resulted in instantaneous stoppage of engine and loss of power steering. Could easily have led to wreck. *ak mechanic at first gm dealer contacted diagnosed problem sight unseen as it is a known common problem. Gm strongly suggested having work done at a dealership so they could make "adjustments" to the repair bill. After having the vehicle towed to a dealer, no "adjustments" were made, towing bill was exhorbitant, and repair bill was 30% higher than quoted by independent repair shop. Defective part is available for inspection (in my possession).”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004
“Over the past four months, the windshield wipers has not worked properly. *ph the dealership was unable to fixe the problem. *tt *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2003
“Passenger driver side door will open and close intermittently. Please fill in additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem. Ph”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2003
“Consumer states that when driving and without warning the air bag inadvertently deploy causing the consumer to pull over. Dealer notified. Ph *dt”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2002
“While traveling about 70mph on the highway without prior warning, there was white smoke coming from the back of the tail pipe due to the plastic intake manifold melting. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ph”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2002
“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. *yd *cb the dealer also fixed a loose cradle bolt because the consumer heard a clunk noise after braking or when starting the vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2002
“Consumers mother-in-law was involved in an accident, the vehicle she was driving was rear ended and the seat broke, causing injuries. *yh (daughter for mother-in-law)”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
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 1998 Oldsmobile 98 reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Oldsmobile 98. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.