1992 Oldsmobile 98: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
127,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 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 5 of 26 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 26.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 19.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 11.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 23 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
1995: 9; 1996: 5; 2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2007: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007391 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE INSIDE LIGHT OVERHEATED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008094 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE TO WORK ON A COLD DAY MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN, EVENTUALLY IT GO TO WERE I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE MY CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY DRIVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD ANY LONGER. I KEEP MY CAR IN PERFECT CONDITION IT ONLY 105,970 MILES. ONCE I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT GOING TO MOVE I HAD IT TOWED WHICH COST ME OVER$100.00 TO AN OLDSMOBILE DEALER IN CHIEFLAND, IT WAS THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT INFORMED ME THE NEXT WEEK THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLEW APART I THEN HAD TO FORK OUT $2417.39 TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A REMANU…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,970 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040192 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLES FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL WHEN THIS OCCURED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP. *NLM *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058626 · 2004-02-21 (February 21, 2004)
92 OLDSMOBILE 98 ELECTRICAL FIRE WIRING HARNESS NO ACTUAL FLAMES POLICE OFFICER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10194954 · 2007-06-29 (June 29, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 OLDSMOBILE 98. WHILE DRIVING 45-60 MPH OR ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM SLOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FLIPS. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN 2006 AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING FREQUENTLY EVER SINCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10194954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208769 · 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 OLDSMOBILE 98. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS IS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000. UPDATED 10-29-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP FAILED. UPDATED 10/30/08. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 166,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481143 · 1995-02-10 (February 10, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483243 · 1995-08-16 (August 16, 1995)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483243 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V015000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
Reported: 1996-01-23 (January 23, 1996)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Consequence: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗