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1987 Oldsmobile 98

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

15 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

NAR 03-25-2003. *MR. SEVERAL PARTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED SUCH AS 2 EGR VALVES, IDLE PASSAGE SWITCH, POWER ANTENNA, TRANSMISSION GASKET, CV BOOT, AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITION CONTROL UNIT, RADIO SPEAKERS, CRUISE CONTROL, RANDOM STALLING, CRACKED RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SPRING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT DID NOT HOLD, AIR C…

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NAR 03-25-2003. *MR. SEVERAL PARTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED SUCH AS 2 EGR VALVES, IDLE PASSAGE SWITCH, POWER ANTENNA, TRANSMISSION GASKET, CV BOOT, AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITION CONTROL UNIT, RADIO SPEAKERS, CRUISE CONTROL, RANDOM STALLING, CRACKED RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SPRING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT DID NOT HOLD, AIR CONDITION DID NOT WORK DUE TO A FREON LEAK, HEAD LIGHT ADJUSTING SCREW BROKE, TIE RODS, BATTERY CABLES, GAS GAUGE BROKE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE, THE HORN WAS HARD TO PUSH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10012364

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2000
Electrical System

OLDSMOBILE HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY BAD MANUFACTURING ON THEIR PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR DURING THE TIME THAT THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT SINCE NO FAILURES WERE NOTED AT THAT TIME/WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM A REAL WARM BO…

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OLDSMOBILE HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY BAD MANUFACTURING ON THEIR PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR DURING THE TIME THAT THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT SINCE NO FAILURES WERE NOTED AT THAT TIME/WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM A REAL WARM BODY WHO CARES ABOUT THE PRODUCTS PLACED INTO SERVICE . WHEN THIS FAILS AT 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE URGE TO GET TO .SOME ONE IN OLDSMOBILE THAT KNOWS ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT SAFETY IS OVERPOWERING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #733366

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2000
Electrical System

CAR DIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - SERVICE PERSONS CAN NOT FIND FAILURE. VERY DAGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED IN HEAVY (FIVE LANES OF VEHICLES)TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #732860

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

STEEL ENGINE MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING REAR CRADLE BOLT TO SHEAR OFF AND ENGINE TO FALL OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. *AK ENGINE MOUNTING CRADLE HAS NOT FAILED BUT MECHANIC TELLS TO CONSUMER IT MAY FAIL, AND CHECKS IT REGULARY. *YH

NHTSA ODI #866305

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Steering

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO TILT STEERING MECHANISM. I WAS TOLD BY A REPAIR SHOP THAT THE "ANCHOR BOLTS" SECURING THE STEERING COLUMN HAVE COME LOOSE AND WOULD NEED TO BE RETIGHTENED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #722717

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE STALLS UNPREDICTABLY AND AT ANY SPEED. ECM REPLACED - NO CHANGE

NHTSA ODI #713499

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING STOP THROTTLE GOT STUCK, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834835

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE FAILURE. WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL #87V093000 DOES NOT COVER THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #523039

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MAKE/MODEL (87V-093). *AK

NHTSA ODI #522692

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PROLONGED BRAKING, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, CAUSES ABS AND BRAKE ALARM LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON UNIL ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. LITTLE TO NO HYDRAULIC BRAKING IS AVAILABLE WHEN BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND SOON FAIL IF BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED HARD.

NHTSA ODI #521526

Official recalls

3

88V080000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

May 16, 1988

EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.

87V135000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Sep 1, 1987

AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.

87V093000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Jun 23, 1987

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.

Remedy: THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA89028 · Rear Brake Pin

Opened Jul 28, 1989 · Closed Jul 27, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SUMMARY:THESE VEHICLES HAVE REAR DRUM BRAKES.THE PARKING LEVER PIVOTPIN IS HELD BY AN E RING.WHEN THE RING FAILS, PARTS OF THE RING ANDPIN FALL LOOSE INTO THE DRUM AND MAY JAM THE BRAKE, LOCKING THE WHEEL.A STRONGER E RING IS USED IN 1988 AND NEWER CARS.THIS INVESTIGATIONHAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE GMS C BODY CARS LISTED ABOVE (E RING COMMONTO ALL CARS SHOWN).===

PE89098 · Anti Lock Brakes

Opened Mar 10, 1989 · Closed May 17, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

C89001 · Throttle NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989 · Closed Jan 16, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA88031 · Sudden Acceleration

Opened Apr 22, 1988 · Closed Oct 23, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

STATUS:ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS IN PROGRESS.HOWEVER, NEITHER NHTSA OF GM HAS IDENTIFIED A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THATCOULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.SOME VEHICLES IN THIS GROUP WEREFOUND POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE RESTRICTIONS, AND WERERECALLED ALONG WITH H CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS.INVESTIGATION ISCONTINUING.===

EA88010 · Throttle Control

Opened Nov 30, 1987 · Closed Oct 31, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:UNDER PE87-041, GM PROVIDED THECOMPLAINT, ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND FATALITY DATA TABULATED ABOVE.ANALYSIS:DURING GM'S COMPILATION AND EVALUATION OF INFORMATION REQUIREDTO RESPOND TO THE NHTSA'S REQUEST UNDER THE PE, INDICATIONS WERE GIVEN THATTHE NUMBERS OF CONSUMER AND OTHER COMPLAINTS CLEARLY SUGGESTED THE EXIST-OF A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THAT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WERE IN ORDER.GM'S FORMALLETTER RESPONSE, HOWEVER, RETREATED FROM THIS POSITION.NHTSA'S ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION IS ONGOING IN AN EFFORT TOIDENTIFY ONE OR MORE PRIMARY MODES OF COMPONENT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THATCOULD RESULT IN ANY ONE OR COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING:A.SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH OR WITHOUT ATTENDANT BRAKE FAILUREB.SELF-ACTUATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMC.FAILURE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE UPON DRIVERCOMMANDD.FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGES/MECHANISMS TO RESPOND INMAGNITUDE AND DIRECTION TO DRIVER COMMANDE.ANY OTHER POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION THAT MAY BE IDENTIFIED.THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS, TOGETHER WITH RESULTANTACCIDENTS AND INJURIES, ARE SUFFICIENTLY HIGH TO SUGGEST THAT A RIGOROUSEVALUATION OF THIS MATTER BY THE NHTSA IS IN ORDER.STATUS:NO SPECIFIC MALFUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM CAPABLEOF CAUSING INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS BEEN IDENTIFIEDTO DATE.HOWEVER, INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THREE CONDITIONS THAT COULDRESTRICT FREE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.H-BODY CARS POTENTIALLYAFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR CORRECTION.OTHERPHASES OF THE INVESTIGATION ARE CONTINUING.PHASES OF THE INVESTIGATION ARE CONTINUING.===

EA87022 · Stalling

Opened Aug 27, 1987 · Closed Nov 27, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT STALLING IS DUE TO VARIOUS FAULTYCOMPONENTS OF THE FUEL INJECTION AND/OR IGNITION SYSTEM. THE FOLLOWINGMODELS ARE INVOLVED:BUICK ELECTRA, LESABRE, RIVERA, CENTURY; OLDS CUTLASSCIERA, 88, 98, TORONADO; PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.STATUS:THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.WE ARE CONTINUING TO ANALYZEINFORMATION PROVIDED BY GM AND ARE PREPARING AN ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONREQUEST TO GM TO CLARIFY CERTAIN TECHNICAL ITEMS.===