RoadVitals

1989 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.
11
Latest Jun 7, 2005
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.
0
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.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile 98, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Electrical550.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Interior & seats110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 2005
Fire reported1 injury reported

DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED A. HEATER SWITCH. CONSUMER INSTALLED THE SWITCH HIMSELF. THERE WERE NO INSTRUCTIONS/WARNING OR CAUTIONS ON THE BOX. THERE WERE SPECS ON THE BOX ON HOW MANY INCHES TO KEEP IT AWAY FROM ANYTHING FLAMMABLE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE INSTALLED SWITCH AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE 5 MINUTES LATER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10124482
Incident
May 23, 2005
Mileage
117,000 mi
Filed Sep 22, 1999

THE OCTOBER '99 ISSUE OF CONSUMER'S REPORT STATES THAT BULLETIN 331708 COVERS A HIDDEN WARRANTY ON 1988-1992 OLDSMOBILES IF THE BASE COAT CLEAR COAT CHALKS, DEGRADES, OR WHITES. OUR CAR HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR MANY YEAR AND WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE HIDDEN WARRANTY. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER TODAY, HE STATED THAT THIS BULLETIN EXPIRED SEVEN (7) YEARS AFTER THE CAR WAS BUILT (1996). WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS COVERAGE OR WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN ACTION EARLIER.

NHTSA ID
711817
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 1999

THE HORN SOUNDS INTERMITTANTLY BECAUSE THE RACKETS THAT THE HORN PAD CONNECTS TO ARE BROKEN.

NHTSA ID
543223
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Electrical
Filed Oct 2, 1997

HORN SWITCH FAILED CPMPLETELY WHICH LEAVES HORN ACTIVATED CONTINUOUSLY. HORN HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
523912
Incident
Aug 1, 1997
Electrical
Filed Sep 3, 1997

HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. DEALER SUGGESTED GOING TO A JUNK YARD TO REPLACE HORN. *AK

NHTSA ID
815962
Fuel system
Filed Aug 20, 1996

FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT NOT REGISTERING PROPERLY, SHORTING OUT FUEL PUMP, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
507694
Incident
Jul 19, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jul 9, 1996

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ID
985596
Incident
Jun 9, 1996
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 27, 1996
Crash reported

BACKING OUT OF GARAGE, CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY, WENT INTO NEIGHBOR'S FENCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
979769
Incident
Feb 23, 1996

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
1989Viewing111049.5
1988101341.5
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.