1998 Oldsmobile 98 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
81,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 7; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10091349 · 2004-09-20 (September 20, 2004)
INTAKE MANIFOLD, MADE OF PLASTIC, RUPTURED DUMPING COOLANT INTO CYLINDERS. RESULTED IN INSTANTANEOUS STOPPAGE OF ENGINE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO WRECK. *AK MECHANIC AT FIRST GM DEALER CONTACTED DIAGNOSED PROBLEM SIGHT UNSEEN AS IT IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM. GM STRONGLY SUGGESTED HAVING WORK DONE AT A DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD MAKE "ADJUSTMENTS" TO THE REPAIR BILL. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER, NO "ADJUSTMENTS" WERE MADE, TOWING BILL WAS EXHORBITANT, AND REPAIR BILL WAS 30% HIGHER THAN QUOTED …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,195 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8015299 · 2002-08-01 (August 1, 2002)
VEHICLE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING PUMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES FROM 1,000 MILES UP TO PRESENT. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING, FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8015299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 565525 · 2002-05-01 (May 1, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS SHIMMYING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, DEALER HAS COMPLETED A BRAKE JOB, TURNED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566170 · 2002-06-21 (June 21, 2002)
CONSUMER WAS GETTING A CLUNK AT TIMES WHEN BRAKING AND ALSO WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE AN ENGINE MOUNT, WHICH IS A LOOSE CRADLE BOLT. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014977 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, DUE TO A FAILED TRANSMISSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014977 at NHTSA ↗