1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 155 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints); the 1997 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 07e021000 (fuel system, other). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,500.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2014
“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. *tt”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2013
“98 olds cutlass. Rear brake lines rusted through in vicinity of lr wheel . Resulted in sudden total loss of braking due to loss of all brake fluid. No separate reservoir for front brake fluid. Heard of similar event with same model style chevy malibu. No year known. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass with 55,000 miles--the car has a 3.1 liter v6 with a blown intake gasket-- it cost me $550 to have this fixed. Per 3 mechanics --"all"l 3.1 intake gaskets go out at around 50,00 miles I feel the gm should pay for defects that effects all 3.1s I've had 40+ cars in my life and never ever had an intake manifold go out on any of them---------to me that's a mfg defect!!! *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2007
“On 1/07 had low speed slide on icy road , causing impact with small tree, and resulting in minor cracks in right front bumper cap, and subsequent air bag deployment. Now, have received information regarding defective airbags which inadvertently deployed in minor crash conditions. Deployment has totaled vehicle with only minor damage. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. While driving 10 mph or greater the vehicle would shut off without warning when the brake was depressed. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2006
“Total failure of steering system. Mechanical lock up. Steering wheel could not be turned by hand. Problem occurred at low speed close to home. The steering rack bracket separated from the frame. Gm complaint # 1-399 751 487 march 18,2006. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2006
“Have had ignition switch just shut off driving down the road. Exactly as described in gm's recent recall on ignition switches on newer cars. Loses all electrical power and engine shuts off. Has happened numerous times while I have owned it for the last 10 or so years. When it happens I just quickly put it in neutral and restart immediately. This is a 1998 olds cutlass. It is apparent that gm's problem with their ignition switch goes back a lot farther than they care to admit. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2006
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2005
“Dt: caller was at a stop sign and when he started to take off. He hit a dip and both front air bags deployed. Dealer said there was not recall, but caller said there was a recall on the air bags. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cutlass 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 Cutlass reliable?
NHTSA has 155 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,537 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.