Owners have filed 71 complaints
about the 1995 Oldsmobile 98 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Oldsmobile 98. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 44
8.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1995 Oldsmobile 98
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
912.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
79.9%
Other & Unspecified
68.5%
Suspension
68.5%
Engine & Cooling
68.5%
Lights
57.0%
Airbags
57.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 121,000 mi
Equipment & Accessories
45.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
45.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Body & Structure
45.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
45.6%
Doors, Latches & Locks
22.8%
Wheels
22.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
22.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 105,000 mi
Electrical System
22.8%
Seats
11.4%
Seat Belts
11.4%
Steering
11.4%
Exactly what failed
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.
Power Window Devices AND Controls
519.2%
AIR Conditioner
415.4%
Switch
415.4%
Door
415.4%
Wheel Bearing
311.5%
HUB
27.7%
Linkages
27.7%
Cooling System
27.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
125.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
250.0%
150,000+ miles
125.0%
When owners complained
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.
Aug 1995peak 22Jan 2008
Recalls on the 1995 Oldsmobile 98
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
94V190000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Risk: 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.
94V138000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
Risk: THE HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT STAY ILLUMINATED RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 105,000 milesCovington, KYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10215665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 184,716 milesBethelham, NH1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 REPLACE THE AIR BAGS OR GIVE HIM A NEW VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 184,716.
NHTSA complaint #10197376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65 milesEast Bethany, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10068229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swansea, MACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG IS MUCH BIGGER THAN THE STEERING WHEEL, DURING AN ACCIDENT IT VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED AND BLEW THE CONSUMERS HAND OFF THE WHEEL WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BROKE HER WRIST (RIGHT) AND RESULTED IN 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO THE LEFT ARM, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY TOWARDS THE PASSENGER BUT WENT UP THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THESE AIR BAGS ARE OLD AND OUTDATED AND BELIEVES THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR MALFUNCTIONED CAUSED DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S PROPERTY. YH
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 105,000 milesCovington, KYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10215665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 184,716 milesBethelham, NH1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 REPLACE THE AIR BAGS OR GIVE HIM A NEW VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 184,716.
NHTSA complaint #10197376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,000 milesRochester, IN
AIR BAGS
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 VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 06/23/06 FOR A REPAIR ESTIMATE HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DUE TO THE COST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #10162094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65 milesEast Bethany, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10068229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON---A LARGE POOL OF COOLANT UNDER CAR AFTER STOPPING---INSPECTION OF CAR SHOWED RETAINING CLIPS WERE BROKEN, BUT SENSOR STILL IN PLACE
NHTSA complaint #9006559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #566689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swansea, MACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG IS MUCH BIGGER THAN THE STEERING WHEEL, DURING AN ACCIDENT IT VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED AND BLEW THE CONSUMERS HAND OFF THE WHEEL WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BROKE HER WRIST (RIGHT) AND RESULTED IN 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO THE LEFT ARM, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY TOWARDS THE PASSENGER BUT WENT UP THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THESE AIR BAGS ARE OLD AND OUTDATED AND BELIEVES THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RETURNED FUEL LINE FOR THE 3.8L ENGINE WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL LINE IS ON BACK ORDER FOR 2-3 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #894342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapid, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER TO LEFT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED REPLACING. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES FRONT STRUTS WERE FAILING AND WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #893018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapid, MI
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER TO LEFT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED REPLACING. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES FRONT STRUTS WERE FAILING AND WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #893018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminole, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE OXYGEN SENSOR CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST TRAIN RESULTING IN LOUD MUFFLER NOISE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, THE ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM THE OXYGENSENSOR WHICH HAD COME OUT, THE MECHANIC SHECKED IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG SO HE REINSERTED IT . I WAS THEN ADVISED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY EHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE ABS MODULE AND AFFECTED PARTS WERE REPLACED AND THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO $1013.61 WHICH I PAID. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD AT THAT MILEAGE AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION THAT THE FACTORY MAY HAVE PUT OUT ABOUT A CLAIM FOR THAT OBVIOUS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #741065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminole, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THE OXYGEN SENSOR CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST TRAIN RESULTING IN LOUD MUFFLER NOISE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, THE ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM THE OXYGENSENSOR WHICH HAD COME OUT, THE MECHANIC SHECKED IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG SO HE REINSERTED IT . I WAS THEN ADVISED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY EHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE ABS MODULE AND AFFECTED PARTS WERE REPLACED AND THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO $1013.61 WHICH I PAID. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD AT THAT MILEAGE AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION THAT THE FACTORY MAY HAVE PUT OUT ABOUT A CLAIM FOR THAT OBVIOUS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #741065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeland, FL
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
AIR CONDITIONER COOLING TEMP WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL STOPPED COOLING INSIDE OF CAR DEALER SAID HE FOUND LEAK AND REPLACED UNDER DASH CONDENSER UNIT AT $800 COST NEXT DAY NO DIFFERENCE IN AIR CONDITIONER RETURNED TO DEALER PROBLEM STILL UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL POWER DOOR LOCK AND POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS STILL UNRESOLVED BY DEALER WHO SAID WINDOW MORTERS ARE BAD. IN ADDITION AFTER DALER REPALCED BRAKE SYSTEM MASTER CYILINDER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DEALER SAID NOTHING THEY DID CAUSED PROBLEM- THIS WAS THE THIRD VEHICLE FLUID LEAK REPARED BY DEALER
NHTSA complaint #728717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeland, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER COOLING TEMP WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL STOPPED COOLING INSIDE OF CAR DEALER SAID HE FOUND LEAK AND REPLACED UNDER DASH CONDENSER UNIT AT $800 COST NEXT DAY NO DIFFERENCE IN AIR CONDITIONER RETURNED TO DEALER PROBLEM STILL UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL POWER DOOR LOCK AND POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS STILL UNRESOLVED BY DEALER WHO SAID WINDOW MORTERS ARE BAD. IN ADDITION AFTER DALER REPALCED BRAKE SYSTEM MASTER CYILINDER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DEALER SAID NOTHING THEY DID CAUSED PROBLEM- THIS WAS THE THIRD VEHICLE FLUID LEAK REPARED BY DEALER
NHTSA complaint #728717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeland, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
AIR CONDITIONER COOLING TEMP WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL STOPPED COOLING INSIDE OF CAR DEALER SAID HE FOUND LEAK AND REPLACED UNDER DASH CONDENSER UNIT AT $800 COST NEXT DAY NO DIFFERENCE IN AIR CONDITIONER RETURNED TO DEALER PROBLEM STILL UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL POWER DOOR LOCK AND POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS STILL UNRESOLVED BY DEALER WHO SAID WINDOW MORTERS ARE BAD. IN ADDITION AFTER DALER REPALCED BRAKE SYSTEM MASTER CYILINDER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DEALER SAID NOTHING THEY DID CAUSED PROBLEM- THIS WAS THE THIRD VEHICLE FLUID LEAK REPARED BY DEALER
NHTSA complaint #728717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS ON ALL DOORS DO NOT WORK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
LEFT FRONT WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES/ACCELERATOR FAILED CAUSING VEHILE TO CONTINUE FORWARD WHILE PULLING IN DRIVEWAY, DEMOLISHING SHRUBBERY AND FENCE IN YARD. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OIL GAUGE FAILED, OIL WAS LOW WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES ON THE CAR. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, CONSUMER NEVER NOTIFIED OF HEAD LIGHT SWITCH RECALL 94V-138. NM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WHEEL BEARING, RIGHT FRONT HUB, LEFT FRONT HUB AND BEARING FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED CAUSING ENGINE NOISE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
BRAKES/ACCELERATOR FAILED CAUSING VEHILE TO CONTINUE FORWARD WHILE PULLING IN DRIVEWAY, DEMOLISHING SHRUBBERY AND FENCE IN YARD. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY BRAKE MAKES NOISE WHEN USED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.