1986 Oldsmobile 98 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 30.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 30.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 2; 2003: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10022051 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, THEY FELT VERY SPONGY IN THE MORNING. *AK THE BRAKES WERE FIXED AND REMAINED INOPERATIVE WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967385 · 1995-06-21 (June 21, 1995)
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HAS FAILED WITH BRAKE PEDAL START HIGH RIDING AWHILE THEN BECOMES VERY LOW. EA88-019. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485280 · 1995-06-13 (June 13, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503570 · 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503570 at NHTSA ↗