1991 Oldsmobile 98
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › 98 › 1991
These records cover every 1991 Oldsmobile 98. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1991 Oldsmobile 98. Newest first.
The console mounted shift lever may disengage from the shift control cable bracket causing loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The driver can place the gear shifter in the parkposition without setting the parking brake and the transaxle may not actually bein park, resulting in unexpected vehicle movement if the vehicle IS stopped on agrade. Also, the driver can place the gear selector in drive or reverse withoutturning the engine off and the transaxle may not be in the position indicated,causing the vehicle to move in the opposite direction. Both conditions canresult in a vehicle accident without prior warning.
Remedy
Install two transaxle shift control cable retaining clips.
When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Depending on the extent of the lever release and roadlevel. The parking brake may not hold the vehicle, allowing it to roll, whichcould result in an accident. Vehicle does not comply with fmvss 105.
Remedy
Replace parking brake lever assembly.
Owner complaints
47 complaints6 involved a crash2 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags › Frontal
I smelled what seemed to be burning wire coming from inside my vehicle while I was driving. Shortly thereafter I noticed smoke coming from the steering wheel. Subsequently, the airbag deployed while I was operating the vehicle.*ak
- Child seat › Harness buckle › Infant
The buckle on the harness will not fit into the latch between the child's legs. consumer has to hold the two sections of the buckle together with both hands in order to get the system to work. *ak
- Air bags
Consumer states that airbag light flashed and drivers side airbag deployed. Cause IS unknown. ts
- Electrical system › Ignition · Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift · Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Unit · Exterior lighting › Turn signal · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
While in motion driving through rain, the windshield wipers will not go fast enough to keep the windshield clear. consumer had to pull to the side of the road until the rain subsided. *jg *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Antifreeze IS leaking onto passenger's side of vehicle on floor. there IS about a half inch of antifreeze on floor. Please add vin. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
3.8 engine--shutter also at the 70 mi.per hr. Speed. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer had noticed a strong vibration coming from engine. had taken vehicle to dealer, and they replaced engine valve to find a solution, but did not help and the problem still there. please provide more information.*ak
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Panic stop to avoid hitting car in front that stopped short to avoid dog in road. brake pedal went to floor, very long stopping distance, steered around car ahead avoiding accident. brake pedal did not returnto normal for about 20 minutes of pumping and test stops, proceeded with journey…
Panic stop to avoid hitting car in front that stopped short to avoid dog in road. brake pedal went to floor, very long stopping distance, steered around car ahead avoiding accident. brake pedal did not returnto normal for about 20 minutes of pumping and test stops, proceeded with journey normally. Brought car to dealer next day. parking brake cable replaced but no fault found in braking system. note ABS out of service for 8 months but same problem occurred when ABS was not disabled in last 2 years, I have read other reports of similar incidents with this make, model and year. *ak
- Air bags › Side/window
Consumer was traveling about 40mph on highway and driver's side airbag went off without prior warning. he was able to pull over and control his vehicle. *ak
- Seats
Consumer was rear ended at about 25-30 mph, and front passenger seat broke on right side of seat. Contacted manufacturer. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
91 v 198 00/automatic: vehicle experienced problem with shifting out of gear intermittently when parked on a upper grade. Dealer / manufacturer were notified at this time. feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
When driving smoke coming from steering column. Contacted dealer, dealer noticed wires within the steering column were melted. cause of the problem was not determined. Please provide any further details.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle experiencing an electrical short in steering column, causing damage to wiring harness and other parts, repairs were done by independent repair shop. dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak a broken bulb shorted out and burned the surrounding plastic. The burning reached the steering column traveling the wires and damaged switch assembly, wiring harness, horn assembly and more. *yh
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
When driving applied brakes and vehicle vibrated. contacted local mechanic and he replaced master cylinders/rotors, and ABS brakes.*ak
- Service brakes, air › Antilock › Wheel speed sensor · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS light illuminates on the dash panel, when it illuminates ABS system will go into effect when driving. delaer has been contacted. dealer said that the ABS system needed to be replaced to fix the problem, but the owner didn't comply because of the cost. vehicle later taken to a specialist…
ABS light illuminates on the dash panel, when it illuminates ABS system will go into effect when driving. delaer has been contacted. dealer said that the ABS system needed to be replaced to fix the problem, but the owner didn't comply because of the cost. vehicle later taken to a specialist, said that the wheel sensors needed to be replaced, not the ABS system. owner wants manufacturer to pay for repair expenses. *ak *ML
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Consumer was traveling about 5MPH in slow traffic, pressed on brakes and pedal went straight to the floor. Consumer rearednded another vehicle. Consumer indicated this happened frequently. dealer will be contacted. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While depressing the brake pedal, it was hard with extended stopping distance intermittently. dealer was notified . Please provide furthr informaton. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
This IS total break failure.pedal goes to the floor. Three pumps & brakes worked fine. Had sys.purged & master cylinder replaced by olds dealer. This same incindence of total loss of brakes has happened four times now. First time was in 1994, last time happened today.11/16/1999 also had replaced 2ND master cyinder. One & one half yrs. Ago. *Ak
- Service brakes, air › Antilock
Several antilock brake failures.
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
While using the jack (part # 14063553) it dropped due to the metal of which jack IS made off needs to be "heat treated" in order to maintain the jack. This may have caused injuries. please provide further information.
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving air bags deployed-no injuries incurred. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving in a parking lot about 2-3mph, driver's airbag deployed unexpectedly without a direct frontal impact due to a defective solenoid sensor in the steering column. the airbag light came on just before the airbag deployed, not enough time for the occupant to get out of the vehicle. currently at the dealer. please provide further information. *Ak
- Air bags
False deployment of air bag causing minimal injuries to consumer.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
While driving at approximately 40-50 mph smoke started to come from the dash, the vehicle caught fire and driver had to jump out to borrow a fire extinguisher to put flames out. Dealer not aware of the problem *ak *ML
- Electrical system
Vehicle caught on fire in front passenger's side compartment for no reason .possible cause of fire, electrical system. Vehicle has been notified. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel line failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 603085Some customers may comment that there IS corrosion ( rust ) appearing on the left and /or right rocker panel(s).
- 602983Concerns of door handles on white painted vehicles truning yellow.
- 602751Some customers may comment that the vehicle
- 54065Comments on inoperative power door locks (front and/or rear doors).
- 52564Excessive vibration of electrochromic inside rearview mirror.
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
- 39308Cold start rattle noise.
- 37848Faint buzzing noise from front of dash area.
Every Oldsmobile 98 model year
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