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1987 Oldsmobile 98Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 1987 Oldsmobile 98, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints151 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 24, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Oldsmobile 98 has problems

15 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
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Steering30
Electrical system30
Vehicle speed control21
Engine and engine cooling20
Power train20
Equipment10
Seat belts10
Fuel system, gasoline10
3 other systems30

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

3 recalls

1987 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.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 88V-080 · May 16, 1988 · 35,057 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 87V-135 · Sep 1, 1987 · 479,715 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 87V-093 · Jun 23, 1987 · 6,004 vehicles

Risk. LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1987 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
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Oldsmobile 98, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. STALLINGEA87022 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  3. THROTTLE CONTROLEA88010 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    Led to recall 88V-080
  4. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88031 · closed Oct 23, 1989
    No recall
  5. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  6. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What 98 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PROLONGED BRAKING, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, CAUSES ABS AND BRAKE ALARM LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON UNIL ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. LITTLE TO NO HYDRAULIC BRAKING IS AVAILABLE WHEN BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND SOON FAIL IF BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED HARD.
Complaint 521526 · Jul 19, 1997

Own a 1987 98?

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