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1997 Oldsmobile 98Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile 98, most often about the seat belts. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

58
CarFlaw IndexSolid year29% below the 98 median · #6 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints300 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage37kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 4, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Oldsmobile 98 has problems

30 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
Seat belts150
Visibility30
Electrical system30
Suspension20
Engine and engine cooling20
Steering10
Structure10
Wheels10
Engine10
3 other systems30

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

0 recalls

1997 Oldsmobile 98 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Oldsmobile 98, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  2. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURERQ03001 · closed Sep 15, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What 98 owners report

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

REA SEAT BELTS UNABLE TO FASTEN THEM TO SECURE PASSENGERS. BUCKLES RECESSED TO FAR INTO REAR SEAT CUSHION. REQUIRES ASISTANCE TOBUCKLES PASSENGERS BELTS. VERY DANGEROUS.
Complaint 10051335 · Dec 30, 2003 · 36,823 miles
FEMALE PARTS IN THREE REAR SEAT SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT, CAN'T GET A GOOD GRIP TO PLUG THEM INTO THE MALE ENDS. CONSUMER STATED THAT IN WINTER TIME WHILE HAVING ON A LOT OF CLOTHES BELTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO FASTEN, SO CONSUMER IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.*AK
Complaint 865850 · Jul 21, 2000
CONSUMER'S WIFE WEIGHT IS 125LBS. SHE GOT INTO THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE TO0 SHORT TO FASTEN AROUND HER. *AK
Complaint 816794 · Oct 1, 1997

Own a 1997 98?

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