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1992 Oldsmobile 98

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
38Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
11
198917
199047
199138
199213
199316
199430
1995
Compare all 98 years →

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

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
15Electrical System
8Power Train
6Air Bags
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Visibility
2Parking Brake
1Seat Belts
1Unknown Or Other
1

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: 3 of 38 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 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
166,000 miles · Nov 13, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine 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 P…

Read full complaint

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. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10208769

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2004
Electrical System

92 OLDSMOBILE 98 ELECTRICAL FIRE WIRING HARNESS NO ACTUAL FLAMES POLICE OFFICER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10058626

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2003
Electrical System

THE INSIDE LIGHT OVERHEATED THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10007391

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1998
Electrical System

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI #827111

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 1996
Electrical System

WHEN DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND CUTS OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #802923

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 1995
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TO HAVE ABS REPLACED. TT DEALER REPLACED ECU AND WHEEL AND SPEED SENSOR. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #972798

Mileage unknown · May 11, 1995
Electrical System

WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO SPEED UP, THERE IS NO POWER, ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #965148

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 1995
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #481143

Official recalls

1

96V015000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Jan 23, 1996

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.

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

1

EA93011 · Fuel Line Failure

Opened May 3, 1993 · Closed May 31, 1994

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

There is no summary currently available