1990 Oldsmobile 98 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
160,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint: 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 | 1 |
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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 5; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10001238 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042805 · 2003-10-14 (October 14, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 726020 · 2000-07-25 (July 25, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968054 · 1995-06-30 (June 30, 1995)
BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968054 at NHTSA ↗