FaultScore report
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 1992 Oldsmobile 98 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007. The largest single group is the brakes.
46
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 166,000 miles
Median failure at 116,485 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 166,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Oldsmobile 98 4-DR. | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FUEL LINE FAILURE
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #483243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING INTERSTATE AT 65MPH THE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON HIT THE BRAKE THERE WAS NO BRAKE WHEN OFF THE ROAD THE BRAKE CAME BACK . TT
NHTSA complaint #969985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. TT
NHTSA complaint #964968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTING IN TOTALLED ACCIDENT, TT
NHTSA complaint #964968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10208769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10208769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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.
NHTSA complaint #10194954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
92 OLDSMOBILE 98 ELECTRICAL FIRE WIRING HARNESS NO ACTUAL FLAMES POLICE OFFICER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #10058626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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
NHTSA complaint #10040192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 REMANUFACTURED ONE FROM GM. I FEEL THAT SINCE I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED MANY TIMES BY AN OLDSMOBILE DEALER, THAT SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG SINCE IT WAS JUST SERVICED AND ADJUSTED ONE WEEK PRIOR. AFTER I HAD BROUGHT IT IN FOR NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I FEEL THAT OLDSMOBILE SHOULD AT LEAST COVER 1/2 THE COST SINCE IT ONLY HAS 105,970 MILES. TRANSMISSIONS JUST DON'T FLY APART WITH THAT LITTLE MILES. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WHEN IT WAS CHECKED OUT THE LAST TIME WHEN IT FLEW APART I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT MUCH FLUID LEFT IN THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO LEAK, NOR WERE THERE STAINS IN MY GARAGE, THE PARKING LOT AT WORK OR ANYWHERE ELSE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION ANY FURTHER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY NEEDED TO RETURN THE CORE UNTOUCHED.
NHTSA complaint #10008094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE INSIDE LIGHT OVERHEATED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10007391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
THERE IS RECALL 96V015002 FOR THIS CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM CONCERNING TRANSMISSION COOLING LEAK. THE CAMPAIGN I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL FOR MY CAR. SAFETY DEFECT NOT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #745149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
BEFORE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I WAS AWARE THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE UPPER TRANSAXLE COOLER HOSE/LINE. I CAREFULLY CHECKED THAT PARTICULAR COMPONENT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND IT APPEARED TO BE INTACT. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1,500 MILES A SLOW LEAK APPEARED WHICH PROGRESSED TO A MAJOR LEAK VERY QUICKLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR, WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISED IN A VERY TIMELY MANNER. I MENTIONED THE POSSIBLE RECALL (RE: CAMPAIGN 96V015000 AND GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BUILLETIN 95C68). THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED GM AND REPORTED BACK TO ME THAT MY VEHICLE WASN'T COVERED IN THE VIN SPECIFIC LISTING AND THAT THE EXPENSE OF THIS REPAIR WAS MY OBLIGATION. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE AND WAS TOLD ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING. MY CAR FALLS IN THE PARAMETERS OF THE VINS ON THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND IT WAS ORIGINALLY DELIVERED IN COLORADO. OBVIOUSLY, THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME BECAUSE THE PARTS USED WERE THOSE CALLED FOR IN THE TECH BULLETIN. IT IS MY FEELING THAT GM (OLDSMOBILE) IS AVOIDING THIS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. I WISH TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR RELATED TO THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #743585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
AREA IMMEDIATELY AROUND HEADLIGHT SWITCH BECOMES TOO HOT TO TOUCH WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON.
NHTSA complaint #727570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #722964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, BUT THE FUMES CAME OUT OF IT. CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY & HAD TO LEAVE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND MOVED THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAG POPPED OUT, ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO BUILDING. DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #859986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ONGOING/INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION MOVING WHENEVER VEHICLE PULLED FROM A STOP POSITION. VEHICLE REPAIRED, CONSUMER WANTS GM TO REIMBURSE THE COST. *AK
NHTSA complaint #858442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A NO START CONDITION/STALLING. MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED 4 TIMES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #827111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #535405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILS ON OCCASSION.
NHTSA complaint #535405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS VALVE REGULATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #532609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO DETECT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #821149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS AND WHEEL CYLINDERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #526512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
BRAKE ROTORS AND WHEEL CYLINDERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #526512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR. CLOUDING AND A BROWN LIQUID SITS IN BOTTOM OF MIRROR TRAY, MIRROR IS COMPLETELY DISTORTED AT THIS TIME. THERE IS NO VISION AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #816026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
THE ANTILOCK BRAKES LIGHT COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #518971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #515949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILED WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, CAUSING A LOCKUP AND ABS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #808456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #511779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.