RoadVitals

1988 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.
10
Latest Jan 15, 1999
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.
1
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.
3
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile 98, most frequently naming the steering, brakes and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Steering436.4%
  • Brakes327.3%
  • Electrical218.2%
  • Seat belts19.1%
  • Transmission19.1%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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

Safety investigations

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

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 10
SteeringTransmission
Filed Jan 15, 1999

I WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER ON THE INDICATOR LEVER GEAR.

NHTSA ID
702251
Incident
Dec 28, 1998
Electrical
Filed Sep 18, 1998

POWER ANTENNA FAILURE CAUSES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HEAT GENERATED BY THE UNIT WHILE THE STRIPPED GEAR SPINS OUT OF CONTROL IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, RUNNING DOWN THE BATTERY.

NHTSA ID
780434
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 1997

FEELS AND HEARS A BUZZING SOUND WHEN PUSHING ON THE BRAKES, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE DURING DRY WEATHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
808268
Incident
Jan 25, 1997
Electrical
Filed Aug 20, 1996

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM 20 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
801117
Incident
Apr 20, 1995
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 1996

ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PULSATES, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF BRAKING POWER OCCASIONALLY. *DH

NHTSA ID
505688
Incident
Jan 1, 1995
Steering
Filed Jan 23, 1996

FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION. TT

NHTSA ID
978062
Incident
Dec 1, 1989
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 1995

THE POWER STEERING IS HARD TO TURN, IT IS THE RACK AND PINION . *AK

NHTSA ID
968724
Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 1995

WHEN ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, BRAKES ENGAGE BUT GO TO THE FLOOR CONTINUOUSLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
964062
Incident
Apr 20, 1995

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
1988Viewing101341.5
1987154657.9
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.