Oldsmobile 98 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 98 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Oldsmobile 98, across 6 model years (1995–2000). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (30). The most reported problem area overall is seat belts.
Oldsmobile 98 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No 98 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Oldsmobile 98 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 19 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 3 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Oldsmobile 98 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 98 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 1999 98 | 1 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1998 98 | 27 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 1997 98 | 30 | 0 | — | Seat Belts | More complaints than other years |
| 1996 98 | 10 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1995 98 | 30 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
More from Oldsmobile: all Oldsmobile models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile 98 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1997 (30), 1995 (30), 1998 (27). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Oldsmobile 98?
Seat Belts, with 19 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Oldsmobile 98 have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.