RoadVitals

1987 Oldsmobile 98

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Mar 24, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Oldsmobile 98, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and steering categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes418.2%
  • Electrical313.6%
  • Steering313.6%
  • Transmission29.1%
  • Driver assistance29.1%
  • Engine29.1%
  • Exterior lighting14.5%
  • Other / unspecified14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V080000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

May 16, 1988
35,057 units potentially affected
The defect: EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.
The risk: THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
87V135000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Sep 1, 1987
479,715 units potentially affected
The defect: AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.
The risk: THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA89028ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR BRAKE PIN

Opened Jul 28, 1989
Closed Jul 27, 1990

SUMMARY:THESE VEHICLES HAVE REAR DRUM BRAKES.THE PARKING LEVER PIVOTPIN IS HELD BY AN E RING.WHEN THE RING FAILS, PARTS OF THE RING ANDPIN FALL LOOSE INTO THE DRUM AND MAY JAM THE BRAKE, LOCKING THE WHEEL.A STRONGER E RING IS USED IN 1988 AND NEWER CARS.THIS INVESTIGATIONHAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE GMS C BODY CARS LISTED ABOVE (E RING COMMONTO ALL CARS SHOWN).===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89098ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ANTI LOCK BRAKES

Opened Mar 10, 1989
Closed May 17, 1989

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
C89001ClosedInvestigation

THROTTLE NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989
Closed Jan 16, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA88031ClosedEngineering Analysis

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Apr 22, 1988
Closed Oct 23, 1989

STATUS:ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS IN PROGRESS.HOWEVER, NEITHER NHTSA OF GM HAS IDENTIFIED A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THATCOULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.SOME VEHICLES IN THIS GROUP WEREFOUND POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE RESTRICTIONS, AND WERERECALLED ALONG WITH H CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS.INVESTIGATION ISCONTINUING.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Mar 24, 2003

NAR 03-25-2003. *MR. SEVERAL PARTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED SUCH AS 2 EGR VALVES, IDLE PASSAGE SWITCH, POWER ANTENNA, TRANSMISSION GASKET, CV BOOT, AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITION CONTROL UNIT, RADIO SPEAKERS, CRUISE CONTROL, RANDOM STALLING, CRACKED RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SPRING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT DID NOT HOLD, AIR CONDITION DID NOT WORK DUE TO A FREON LEAK, HEAD LIGHT ADJUSTING SCREW BROKE, TIE RODS, BATTERY CABLES, GAS GAUGE BROKE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE, THE HORN WAS HARD TO PUSH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10012364
Incident
Mar 3, 2003
Electrical
Filed Oct 3, 2000

OLDSMOBILE HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY BAD MANUFACTURING ON THEIR PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR DURING THE TIME THAT THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT SINCE NO FAILURES WERE NOTED AT THAT TIME/WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM A REAL WARM BODY WHO CARES ABOUT THE PRODUCTS PLACED INTO SERVICE . WHEN THIS FAILS AT 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE URGE TO GET TO .SOME ONE IN OLDSMOBILE THAT KNOWS ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT SAFETY IS OVERPOWERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
733366
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2000

CAR DIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - SERVICE PERSONS CAN NOT FIND FAILURE. VERY DAGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED IN HEAVY (FIVE LANES OF VEHICLES)TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ID
732860
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2000

STEEL ENGINE MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING REAR CRADLE BOLT TO SHEAR OFF AND ENGINE TO FALL OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. *AK ENGINE MOUNTING CRADLE HAS NOT FAILED BUT MECHANIC TELLS TO CONSUMER IT MAY FAIL, AND CHECKS IT REGULARY. *YH

NHTSA ID
866305
Incident
Feb 1, 2000
Steering
Filed May 15, 2000

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO TILT STEERING MECHANISM. I WAS TOLD BY A REPAIR SHOP THAT THE "ANCHOR BOLTS" SECURING THE STEERING COLUMN HAVE COME LOOSE AND WOULD NEED TO BE RETIGHTENED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
722717
Incident
Mar 20, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 1999

VEHICLE STALLS UNPREDICTABLY AND AT ANY SPEED. ECM REPLACED - NO CHANGE

NHTSA ID
713499
Incident
Oct 12, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 16, 1999
Crash reported

WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING STOP THROTTLE GOT STUCK, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
834835
Incident
Jan 7, 1999
Brakes
Filed Aug 29, 1997

BRAKE FAILURE. WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL #87V093000 DOES NOT COVER THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
523039
Incident
Aug 18, 1997

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile 98 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000001—
1999101—
1998270240.6
1997300235.6
1996102257.4
1995302049.0
1994161052.6
1993131042.5
1992381145.1
1991472158.0
1990172050.7
1989111049.5
1988101341.5
1987Viewing154657.9
1986133753.1
1985915—
1984113—
1983101—
1982210—
1981200—
1980120—
1979030—
1977020—
1975120—
1974010—
1972030—
1971010—
1968030—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.