no report yet
Steering: rack and pinion
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT.
1998 Oldsmobile CutlassProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 155 owner complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 22, 2014. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass has problems
155 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
37Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
32Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
21Steering
18Suspension
16Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
11Equipment
9Air bags
9Visibility
8Structure
3811 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 37 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 1 |
| Steering | 21 | 0 |
| Suspension | 18 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 1 |
| Equipment | 11 | 0 |
| Air bags | 9 | 5 |
| Visibility | 9 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 38 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Risk. REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
1998 vs. every other Cutlass 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 Cutlass median. How we score
'67'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass safety ratings
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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
6 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, and the recalls they led to.
- WINDSHIELD WIPERLed to recall 01V-068
- OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTNo recall
- WINDSHIELD WIPERNo recall
- INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSNo recall
- POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURENo recall
- WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURENo recall
In owners' words
What Cutlass owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
98 OLDS CUTLASS. REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH IN VICINITY OF LR WHEEL. RESULTED IN SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID. NO SEPARATE RESERVOIR FOR FRONT BRAKE FLUID. HEARD OF SIMILAR EVENT WITH SAME MODEL STYLE CHEVY MALIBU. NO YEAR KNOWN. *TR
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED UNLESS THE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE BRAKE WILL NOT WORK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO…
THERE WAS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH CAME FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AREA WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE NEW BRAKE SHOES AND PADS EVERY 6-8 MONTHS. *AK *CB *NLM
Own a 1998 Cutlass?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.