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1991 Oldsmobile 98Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 47 owner complaints about the 1991 Oldsmobile 98, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the 98 median · #1 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints4711 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem18Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 25, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 has problems

47 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, hydraulic183
Electrical system82
Air bags73
Engine and engine cooling40
Equipment40
Visibility30
Power train30
Service brakes, air20
Seat belts10
7 other systems71

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

2 recalls

1991 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

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 91V-198 · Nov 14, 1991 · 6,866 vehicles

Risk. THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARKPOSITION WITHOUT SETTING THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT ACTUALLY BEIN PARK, RESULTING IN…

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

1991 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
NHTSA crash tests

1991 Oldsmobile 98 safety ratings

1991 Oldsmobile 98 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 Oldsmobile 98, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL LINE FAILUREPE93007 · closed May 3, 1993
    No recall
In owners' words

What 98 owners report

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

ON THREE OCCASIONS THE BRAKES FAILED.*AK CONSUMER STATES FIRST OCCURENCE WAS ONLY A PARTIAL FAILURE, THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT GO CLEAR TO THE FLOOR AND THEY RECOVERED SHORTLY, SECONFD FAILURE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE BRKAE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO EFFECT ON THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE,…
Complaint 986691 · Jul 10, 1996
THE CAR HAS ABS BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DOES NOT STOP. IT HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Complaint 977743 · Jan 18, 1996
WHEN DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE VIBRATED. CONTACTED LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED MASTER CYLINDERS/ROTORS, AND ABS BRAKES.*AK
Complaint 864747 · Jul 5, 2000

Own a 1991 98?

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