1989 Oldsmobile 98: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
117,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 7 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 28.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front: 1; Seats: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 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: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 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 | 2 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 4; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10124482 · 2005-06-07 (June 7, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED A. HEATER SWITCH. CONSUMER INSTALLED THE SWITCH HIMSELF. THERE WERE NO INSTRUCTIONS/WARNING OR CAUTIONS ON THE BOX. THERE WERE SPECS ON THE BOX ON HOW MANY INCHES TO KEEP IT AWAY FROM ANYTHING FLAMMABLE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE INSTALLED SWITCH AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE 5 MINUTES LATER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507694 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT NOT REGISTERING PROPERLY, SHORTING OUT FUEL PUMP, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961063 · 1995-03-03 (March 3, 1995)
WHEN CAR IS WARM AND AT STOP LIGHT CAR MAKE NOISE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975340 · 1995-11-22 (November 22, 1995)
DRIVER SHOULDER LAP BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL, DURING TOTALLED HEAD ON COLLISION. TT CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979285 · 1996-02-15 (February 15, 1996)
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BROKE AWAY FROM THE WELD AND THE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. IF VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979769 · 1996-02-27 (February 27, 1996)
BACKING OUT OF GARAGE, CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY, WENT INTO NEIGHBOR'S FENCE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985596 · 1996-07-09 (July 9, 1996)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985596 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.