1995 Oldsmobile 98: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
113,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 18 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 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). 14 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 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 4; 2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10068229 · 2004-05-03 (May 3, 2004)
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO BREAK AND DUE TO COST TO REPAIR DASH AND AIRBAGS CAUSED CAR TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162094 · 2006-07-11 (July 11, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON 06/20/06 WHILE THE IGNITION WAS ON BUT IN PARK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON 06/21/06. THE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE DURING BOTH INCIDENTS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FIRST INCIDENT HOWEVER THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED NOR LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON 06/22/06 WHO DETERMINED THE VEHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 121,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197376 · 2007-07-24 (July 24, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE 98 ROYAL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE AIR BAG DOWN AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO PREVENT A CRASH. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SORENESS IN HIS NECK AND RIBS. HE ALSO HAS AN ABRASION ON HIS ARM FROM THE FAILURE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS CAUSED BY THE MOISTURE IN THE COMPONENT. THEY OFFERED HIM A SETTLEMENT TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 184,716 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215665 · 2008-01-22 (January 22, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE 98. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, SPARKS APPEARED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO A GAS LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487804 · 1995-12-05 (December 5, 1995)
HEAD REST DOES NOT RAISE HIGH ENOUGH TO PROTECT TALL PEOPLE FROM INJURY. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550612 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, CONSUMER NEVER NOTIFIED OF HEAD LIGHT SWITCH RECALL 94V-138. NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566689 · 2002-07-17 (July 17, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES COOLANT WARNING LIGHT FLASHES, THERE IS PUDDLES OF ANTIFREEZE CAUSED BY THE COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR RETAINER CLIPS BREAKING OFF AND LEAVING THE SENSOR RETAINED ONLY BY THE FRICTION OF THE O-RING SEALS. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 600427 · 1996-01-11 (January 11, 1996)
POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILURE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 600427 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V138000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1994-08-02 (August 2, 1994)
A SPRING IN THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE HEAD PARK LAMP SWITCH CAN FAIL PREVENTING LATCHING OF THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE SWITCH IN THE "ON" POSITION.
Consequence: THE HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT STAY ILLUMINATED RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT HEAD/PARK LAMP SWITCH BUILD DATE CODES AND REPLACE SWITCHES WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V190000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1994-10-04 (October 4, 1994)
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH LIGHTING CONTROL MODULES WHICH CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT LEAKAGE DUE TO DAMAGED SURFACE MOUNTING CAPACITORS. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND PARKING LAMPS.
Consequence: SUDDEN LOSS OF HEADLAMPS CAN CAUSE REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE HEAD LAMPS CANNOT BE TURNED OFF, OR THEY MAY TURN ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE AND INABILITY TO RESTART THE CAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗