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1985 Oldsmobile 98Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 1985 Oldsmobile 98, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints93 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem5Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 23, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Oldsmobile 98 has problems

9 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering50
Vehicle speed control21
Power train11
Seat belts10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1985 Oldsmobile 98 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other 98 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 98 median. How we score

'67'68'71'72'74'75'77'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Oldsmobile 98, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. WINDSHIELD WIPERSEA86025 · closed Mar 2, 1988
    No recall
  3. HYDRO BOOSTEA88019 · closed Oct 31, 1990
    No recall
  4. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88031 · closed Oct 23, 1989
    No recall
  5. HYDROBOOST FAILUREPE87038 · closed Jan 28, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What 98 owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE STEERING IS HARD TO TURN THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS CAR. TT CONSUMER UNTIL THE VEHICLE HEATS UP THE STEERING IS EXTREMLY DIFFICULT, CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING NEW.*JB
Complaint 974699 · Nov 7, 1995

Own a 1985 98?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.