Owners have filed 35 complaints
about the 1997 Oldsmobile 98 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2014.
The largest single group is the seat belts.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 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 — 56
Against the median year of the Oldsmobile 98. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% 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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
125.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
250.0%
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.
Apr 1997peak 5Dec 2014
NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Oldsmobile 98
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.
RQ03001Opened 2 Jan 2003Closed 15 Sep 2003STEERING
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS T...
EA02030Opened 22 Oct 2002Closed 9 Mar 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICL...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 97,595 milesSacramento, CA
STEERING
WHILE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE, AND LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE LIGHTS HAD COME IN AND THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND START THE ENGINE. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS THE REST OF THAT TRIP. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER. ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE GETTING ON FREEWAY AND SHE WA ABLE TO START CAR BACK UP. THIS WEEK, TUESDAY, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SHE CAME TO A FULL STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND AS SHE STARTED TO GO THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VOLTAGE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, SHE TRIED TO REV ENGINE NOTHING HAPPENED THAT IS WHEN SHE PUT IN PARK AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. THE MILEAGE NO IS 117,375. I HAVE LOOKED ON RECALL LIST AND HAVE NOT FOUND THIS YEAR AND MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10662273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,595 milesSacramento, CA
ENGINE
WHILE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE, AND LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE LIGHTS HAD COME IN AND THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND START THE ENGINE. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS THE REST OF THAT TRIP. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER. ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE GETTING ON FREEWAY AND SHE WA ABLE TO START CAR BACK UP. THIS WEEK, TUESDAY, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SHE CAME TO A FULL STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND AS SHE STARTED TO GO THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VOLTAGE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, SHE TRIED TO REV ENGINE NOTHING HAPPENED THAT IS WHEN SHE PUT IN PARK AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. THE MILEAGE NO IS 117,375. I HAVE LOOKED ON RECALL LIST AND HAVE NOT FOUND THIS YEAR AND MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10662273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,823 milesConway, SC
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REA SEAT BELTS UNABLE TO FASTEN THEM TO SECURE PASSENGERS. BUCKLES RECESSED TO FAR INTO REAR SEAT CUSHION. REQUIRES ASISTANCE TOBUCKLES PASSENGERS BELTS. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10051335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesLagrange Park, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I OWN A 1997 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY V6-3800 3.8L, VIN: [XXX]. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING COOLANT, AND THE COST TO REPLACE IS APPROX. $800~$1000, DUE TO A GASKET FAILURE. I DON'T FEEL THAT THE GASKET SHOULD HAVE FAILED SO SOON. THE SERVICE DEPT. AT OLDS TELLS ME THAT THEIR ARE GASKET PROBLEMS WITH 3.1L AS WELL AS 3.8L, WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE, AND WHAT IS BEING DONE, OR IS MY PROBLEM NORMAL. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10018574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE HAS STALLED 7 TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE TWICE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE.*AK TO STOP ENGINE STALLING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #8010878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, RI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FEMALE PARTS IN THREE REAR SEAT SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT, CAN'T GET A GOOD GRIP TO PLUG THEM INTO THE MALE ENDS. CONSUMER STATED THAT IN WINTER TIME WHILE HAVING ON A LOT OF CLOTHES BELTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO FASTEN, SO CONSUMER IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
NHTSA complaint #865850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bryan, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND VISUAL SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #9001391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bryan, TX
VISIBILITY
DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND VISUAL SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #9001391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Caladonia, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY BLEW UP BECAUSE ACID LEAKED FROM THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #865175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRES TO SPARK PLUGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSE MISFIRING. OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS TO REPLACE AT 100,000 MILES. THEY ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS AT 46,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #713117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, VA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELCTRICAL DRIVERS SEAT, WHEN THE CONSUMER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF THE SEAT AUTOMATICALY ADJUSTED ITSELF ALL THE WAY UP TO THE STEERING WHELL AND WILL NOT RETURN. THE SEAT IS SO CLOSE THE CONSUMER CANNOT SIT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #848624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Maria, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE A/C ON LIGHT/INDICATOR IS TOO SMALL TO BE OBSERVED WHILE DRIVING. YH
NHTSA complaint #607379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SIDE BARS HOLDING WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCT VIEW. SEAT BELTS HARD TO BUCKLE BECAUSE OF PLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #609746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
FRONT SUSPENSION INSULATOR--BUSHINGS, LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SWAY BAR.
NHTSA complaint #609487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SIDE BARS HOLDING WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCT VIEW. SEAT BELTS HARD TO BUCKLE BECAUSE OF PLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #609746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victorville, CA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TWO WHEEL STUDS AND LUG NUTS FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #606963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS DO NOT FIT AROUND THE CONSUMER. THEY ARE TOO SMALL DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #835567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topeka, KS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
REAR SEAT BELT RECEPTOR ENDS ARE TOO SHORT, USE OF BELTS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP LATCHED.
NHTSA complaint #522858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Fort, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
REAR SEAT BUCKLE EXTENSION TOO SHORT, DEALER PUT A SLEEVE AROUND EXTENSION BUT DID NOT LENGTHEN THE EXTENSION TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #531786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlandpark, IL
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SAFETY BELTS TOO SMALL TO USE.
NHTSA complaint #604665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
NEW BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED AND INSTALLED BY MANUFACTURER WHICH IS CAUSING A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE AT LEAST 1-2 CAR LENGTHS, AND ALMOST RESULTED IN REAREND COLLISIONS.
NHTSA complaint #825483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topeka, KS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
REAR SEAT BELT RECEPTOR ENDS ARE SO SHORT THAT USE OF THE BELTS IS MOST DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #522858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N. FT Myer, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
GOING HWY SPEED (60MPH) WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO WONDER FOR NO REASON. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORME THAT STABLIZER LINK WAS MISSING FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. DEALERSHIP ORDER PART THAT WAS MISSING OFF OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #821882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamazoo, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT LATCHES IN THE REAR SEAT ARE NOT ABLE TO BE LATCHED.
NHTSA complaint #527329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laguna Hills, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
REAR SEAT BELT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #529032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.