1991 Oldsmobile 98 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
145,985 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 27 complaints (29.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 37.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 14.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Child Seat:Harness Buckle:Infant | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Child Seat:Harness Buckle:Infant: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 25 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 | 4 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 4; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 506244 · 1996-07-08 (July 8, 1996)
REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDERS FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755618 · 2001-12-13 (December 13, 2001)
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 INCI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114724 · 2005-03-25 (March 25, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 115,970 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566883 · 2002-08-02 (August 2, 2002)
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHER ACTIVATION SWITCH. THE CENTER ACTIVATION PORTION CANNOT BE DEPRESSED TO ENERGIZE THE FLASHER. IT IS MOUNTED INTERNALLY AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE DISASSEMBLED. TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. *JG THE ARROWS FOR TURN SIGNALS WAS NOT VISIBLE. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 871752 · 2000-09-28 (September 28, 2000)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING DAMAGE TO WIRING HARNESS AND OTHER PARTS, REPAIRS WERE DONE BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK A BROKEN BULB SHORTED OUT AND BURNED THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC. THE BURNING REACHED THE STEERING COLUMN TRAVELING THE WIRES AND DAMAGED SWITCH ASSEMBLY, WIRING HARNESS, HORN ASSEMBLY AND MORE. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 871752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971350 · 1995-08-30 (August 30, 1995)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN VEHICLE, WILL NOT FUNCTION, POWER WINDOWS OR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL OPEN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 877684 · 2001-01-08 (January 8, 2001)
91 V 198 00/AUTOMATIC: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PARKED ON A UPPER GRADE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 877684 at NHTSA ↗