RecallMyCar

Oldsmobile 98 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 30 safety recalls and 295 owner complaints across 28 model years of the Oldsmobile 98 (1967–1999). The most-complained-about year is 1991.

30
safety recalls, all years
295
owner complaints, all years
1968
year with most recalls
1991
year with most complaints

Pick your Oldsmobile 98 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1999 Oldsmobile 9801
1998 Oldsmobile 98027
1997 Oldsmobile 98030
1996 Oldsmobile 98210
1995 Oldsmobile 98230
1994 Oldsmobile 98116
1993 Oldsmobile 98113
1992 Oldsmobile 98138
1991 Oldsmobile 98247
1990 Oldsmobile 98017
1989 Oldsmobile 98011
1988 Oldsmobile 98010
1987 Oldsmobile 98315
1986 Oldsmobile 98213
1985 Oldsmobile 9819
1984 Oldsmobile 9811
1983 Oldsmobile 9801
1982 Oldsmobile 9812
1981 Oldsmobile 9802
1980 Oldsmobile 9821
1979 Oldsmobile 9830
1977 Oldsmobile 9820
1975 Oldsmobile 9821
1974 Oldsmobile 9810
1972 Oldsmobile 9830
1971 Oldsmobile 9810
1968 Oldsmobile 9830
1967 Oldsmobile 9810

What Oldsmobile 98 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA. The 1991 model year has the most, with 47.

All Oldsmobile 98 recalls (30)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Oldsmobile 98, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 96V116000 Reported 275,811 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.

    Model years: 1996

  2. Cooling unit and lines (power train)

    NHTSA 96V015000 Reported 585,182 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.

    Model years: 1992, 1993

  3. Electrical system: control module

    NHTSA 95V204000 Reported 32,869 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were assembled with a malfunction alarm, lighting and locking (mall) module that can contain a damaged capacitor. If the capacitor is damaged, the "key in the ignition" warning chime and the driver seat belt unbuckled warning chime and indicator lamp may not work. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 114,…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.

    Model years: 1996

  4. Headlights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 94V190000 Reported 1,997 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1995

  5. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 94V138000 Reported 1,487 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

  6. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 91V198000 Reported 6,866 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The console mounted shift lever may disengage from the shift control cable bracket causing loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.

    Remedy: Install two transaxle shift control cable retaining clips.

    Model years: 1991

  7. Mechanical (parking brake)

    NHTSA 91V167000 Reported 20,765 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.

    Remedy: Replace parking brake lever assembly.

    Model years: 1991

  8. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 89V102000 Reported 1,755,897 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Model years: 1984

  9. Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 88V080000 Reported 35,057 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Excessive accelerator cable friction may restrict the cables free movement between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body.

    Remedy: Replace accelerator cable.

    Model years: 1987

  10. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 87V135000 Reported 479,715 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    An in line fusible link may melt down and cause a fire.

    Remedy: The windshield washer bottle bracket will be replaced.

    Model years: 1987

  11. Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)

    NHTSA 87V093000 Reported 6,004 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The anti lock brake system (ABS) pressure/warning switch may exhibit brake fluid seepage which eventually can lead to loss of the brake system hydraulic pump motor. Additionally, the hydraulic pump motor and ABS electrical relays may have been exposed to water contamination during vehicle assembly. This condition can cause loss of the…

    Remedy: The ABS and hydraulic pump motor electrical relays and 30 amp fuses will be replaced. In addition, the hydraulic pump motor assembly and pressure/warning switch will be inspected and, if required, replaced.

    Model years: 1986, 1987

  12. Hose, piping, and connections (steering)

    NHTSA 86V145000 Reported 88,668 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    There may not be enough clearance between the power steering pump return hose and the engine exhaust manifold. Consequence of defect: hose could overheat, resulting in a hole and fluid leak, and a possible engine compartment fire without prior warning.

    Remedy: Replace and correctly route hose, as necessary.

    Model years: 1986

  13. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 84V063000 Reported 91 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Omission of the certification labels as required by federal motor vehicle safety standard number 110 "tire selection and rims".

    Remedy: Dealer will install required certification labels.

    Model years: 1985

  14. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 82V012000 Reported 79,686 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Under certain vehicle operating conditions, the governor weight retainer in the injection pump may fail. The throttle valve could stick, preventing return to idle and shut down of the engine by the driver.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the governor weight assembly in the injection pump at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1982

  15. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 79V247000 Reported 1,326,404 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The heads may break off the front outboard seat belt anchor bolts during normal vehicle operation even under no load conditions. This is due to the combination of bolts used, high installation torque and arrangement of the body anchorage.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace all original equipment front outboard seat belt anchor bolts on the affected vehicles at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1979, 1980

  16. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 79V229000 Reported 3,170 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The tire placard (label) does not contain the recommended tire size information. Therefore, it does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims".

    Remedy: Dealer will install a new label with correct information at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1980

  17. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 79V121000 Reported 134 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses". These vehicles were manufactured with gasoline fuel hoses in place of the vacuum hose between the intake manifold and carbon canister in the power brake vacuum line. Should this hose rupture, it would result in a loss of power assist to…

    Remedy: The dealer will replace the incorrect hose with the correct vacuum hose.

    Model years: 1979

  18. Master cylinder (service brakes)

    NHTSA 78V247000 Reported 67 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A gasket was mistakenly placed between the brake master cylinder and the power boost which prevented the two parts from fitting together properly. Damage may have resulted to the mounting ears of the master cylinder and the hydro-boost. This condition could lead to brake failure.

    Remedy: The dealer will install a new brake master cylinder and hydro-boost unit, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.

    Model years: 1979

  19. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 76V175000 Reported 66,632 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

  20. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 76V132000 Reported 55,564 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

  21. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 74V150000 Reported 1,951 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

  22. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 74V140000 Reported 2,562 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

  23. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 73V250000 Reported 782,111 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1974

  24. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 73V013000 Reported 3,707,064 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The possibility exists that driving on unpaved road surfaces, particularly roads which are heavily graveled and which are extremely wavy or filled with chuckholes, at speeds which cause the car to pitch excessively, the front crossmember may scoop up loose stones or gravel and could be thrown into the engine compartment. It is possible…

    Remedy: Inspect and install shield on affected vehicles.

    Model years: 1971, 1972

  25. Seats

    NHTSA 72V185000 Reported 1,699 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

  26. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 72V135000 Reported 41,711 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

  27. Tread/belt (tires)

    NHTSA 68V122000 Reported 1,345 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1968

  28. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 68V050000 Reported 11,461 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1968

  29. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 68V031000 Reported 28,639 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1968

  30. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 67V021000 Reported 7,573 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1967

Other Oldsmobile models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.