Menu

1998 Oldsmobile 98Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile 98, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year21% below the 98 median · #5 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints273 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 20, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Oldsmobile 98 has problems

27 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
Engine and engine cooling80
Air bags41
Tires30
Power train30
Electrical system20
Structure20
Fuel system, gasoline20
Visibility10
Seat belts10
4 other systems41

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

0 recalls

1998 Oldsmobile 98 recalls and how many were fixed

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

Best & worst years

1998 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 1998 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 engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

BOUGHT MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY IN JULY OF 2005 WITH 78000 MILES ON IT. MARCH OF 2006 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF. THE COOLANT WAS BONE DRY UPON INSPECTION BY SELF. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE PLENUM AT A COST OF $533.00. THE…
Complaint 10176707 · Dec 20, 2006 · 85,000 miles
MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY WAS LOSING COOLANT. I COULD NOT SEE A VISIBLE LEAK. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE UPPER INTAKE (PLENUM) TO BE LEAKING THE COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE (CYLINDER #3.) THE LEAK WAS CAUSED DUE TO THE FACT…
Complaint 10153116 · Mar 19, 2006 · 88,950 miles
COOLANT LEAKED OUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. HAD TO REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKETS. *BF E-MAILED CONSUMER RESPONSE EXHAUST GASES HAD GOTTEN INTO THE PLASTIC UPPER MANIFOLD HAD THERMALLY BROKE DOWN THE PLASTIC AND CAUSED THE LEAK. *SC
Complaint 10101571 · Nov 15, 2004

Own a 1998 98?

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