Model year record

1991 Oldsmobile 98 recalls & problems

The 1991 Oldsmobile 98 has 2 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (26 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints47filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainNov 14, 1991

Automatic transmission

Recall 91V1980006,866 vehicles

Problem: THE CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
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 UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ON AGRADE. ALSO, THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUTTURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT BE IN THE POSITION INDICATED,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. BOTH CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: INSTALL TWO TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIPS.

Parking brakeSep 23, 1991

Conventional › Mechanical

Recall 91V16700020,765 vehicles

Problem: WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Risk: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Fix: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.

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

1991 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*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	26	4	0	0	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; 12v/24v/48v battery	11	0	2	0	—
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	7	2	0	2	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	4	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	4	0	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear	3	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines	3	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock; Antilock › Wheel speed sensor	2	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHazard flashing warning lights › Unit; Turn signal	2	0	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections	1	0	0	0	—
StructureBody	1	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	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

Air bags › Frontal
I SMELLED WHAT SEEMED TO BE BURNING WIRE COMING FROM INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE.*AK
Dec 7, 2004 · 115,970 miles
Child seat › Harness buckle › Infant
THE BUCKLE ON THE HARNESS WILL NOT FIT INTO THE LATCH BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS. CONSUMER HAS TO HOLD THE TWO SECTIONS OF THE BUCKLE TOGETHER WITH BOTH HANDS IN ORDER TO GET THE SYSTEM TO WORK. *AK
Nov 20, 2003 · 176,000 miles
Air bags
CONSUMER STATES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. TS
Oct 20, 2002
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING THROUGH RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT GO FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE RAIN SUBSIDED. *JG *YH
Aug 2, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING ONTO PASSENGER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE ON FLOOR. THERE IS ABOUT A HALF INCH OF ANTIFREEZE ON FLOOR. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
May 21, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
3.8 ENGINE--SHUTTER ALSO AT THE 70 MI.PER HR. SPEED. *AK
Feb 26, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
CONSUMER HAD NOTICED A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM ENGINE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED ENGINE VALVE TO FIND A SOLUTION, BUT DID NOT HELP AND THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Feb 11, 2002
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
PANIC STOP TO AVOID HITTING CAR IN FRONT THAT STOPPED SHORT TO AVOID DOG IN ROAD. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, VERY LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, STEERED AROUND CAR AHEAD AVOIDING ACCIDENT. BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT RETURNTO NORMAL FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF PUMPING AND TEST STOPS, PROCEEDED WITH JOURNEY NORMALLY. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER NEXT DAY. PARKING BRAKE CABLE REPLACED BUT NO FAULT FOUND IN BRAKING SYSTEM. NOTE ABS OUT OF SERVICE FOR 8 MONTHS BUT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN ABS WAS NOT DISABLED IN LAST 2 YEARS, I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. *AK
Dec 10, 2001

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

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL LINE FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE93007 · opened Feb 10, 1993 · closed May 3, 1993