Model year record

1990 Oldsmobile 98 recalls & problems

The 1990 Oldsmobile 98 has 2 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints17filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Air bagsOct 30, 1990

Frontal

Recall 90E04300439 vehicles

Problem: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASESTO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Oldsmobile 98 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys; Exhaust system › Emission control	4	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	4	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	3	1	0	2	—
Electrical systemHorn; Wiring › Interior/under dash	3	0	0	0	—
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	3	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Column	2	0	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	2	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	2	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint	1	0	0	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	1	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkages	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
TRUNK LID OPENED BY ITSELF WHEN PARKED. *TR
Apr 13, 2010
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING,. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. *AK
Oct 26, 2004
Steering › ColumnFire
WAS DRIVING 55MPH STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD, AND PUT OUT FLAMES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO LOCATE CAUSE OF FIRE. MECHANIC WAS STILL WORKING ON VEHICLE.*AK
Oct 4, 2003
Engine and engine cooling
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING, THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WENT BAD. THIS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE HARMOIC BALANCER LOCATED IN THE ENGINE HAD WENT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Nov 19, 2002 · 160,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
THE LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED AND WOULD NOT LOCK, THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM WEARING THE SEATBELT, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT REPLACING THE SEATBELT WAS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE COMPONENT HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. NLM
Sep 7, 2001
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ORIGINAL ABS PUMP MOTOR FAILED ON 10/10/99. THIS MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH A GM ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PART. THIS REPLACEMENT PUMP FAILED IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND WAS SUSPECTED AS BEING A FAULTY PUMP AND WAS AGAIN REPLACED WITH ANOTHER GM ORIGIAL PART. ON 07/12/99 THIS REPLACEMENT PUMP FAILED. ALL THREE FAILURES RESULTED IN LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. *AK
Jul 12, 1999
Structure › Body
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM OF CLEAR COAT, I WANT TO KNOW IF I REDO IT OR IS IT STILL UNDER WARRANTY
Oct 10, 1999
Electrical system › Horn
HORN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SOUND OFF WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *AK
Aug 5, 1998

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.