1995 Oldsmobile 98
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › 98 › 1995
These records cover every 1995 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 1995 Oldsmobile 98. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the headlamp module.
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 and remedy
Risk
The head lamps would not stay illuminated resulting in reduced driver visibility.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect head/park lamp switch build date codes and replace switches with suspect date codes.
Owner complaints
30 complaints2 involved a crash1 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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…
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.
- 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…
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.
- 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…
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.
- 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. *Ak
- 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
- 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. *tt
- 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…
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
- 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. *Ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion · 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.*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · 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…
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.*ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Service brakes, air › Antilock · 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…
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
- Electrical system · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Headlights · Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch · Parking brake · Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Structure › Body › Door · Suspension › Front › Hub · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing · Unknown or other · Vehicle speed control · Vehicle speed control › Linkages · Visibility › Power window devices and controls · Wheels › Hubcap/cover
Wheel bearing, right front hub, left front hub and bearing failed. nlm
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch · Unknown or other
Hood latch would not open hood. Gauges don't work. Driver's door lock inoperative.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The bolts that hold the engine mounts to the steering column broke off while the vehicle was going at 60mph, resulting in loss of steering control. the dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak
- Unknown or other
No summary listed for this vehicle. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Carbon on the throttle body plate due to blow by or oil usage resulted in throttle sticking and vehicle suddenly accelerating.
- Wheels
Wheels failed causing tires to leak air.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine continually overheating and shutting down.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Front brake rotors are defective and rotors must be replaced every 10,000 miles. Owner very concerned for safety. *ak
- Air bags
Air bag light keeps coming on. Took to dealer & service mechanic took dash apart to locate problem. Could not locate it. Air bag light off while vehicle was off. Came back on when vehicle turned on. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Qwhile driving the vehicle loses total power. There IS no indication that the vehicle IS going to lose power. The dealer has been notified. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Rear shifting mechanism failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The left rear wheel always locks up and causes the car to skid. The car has ABS. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor
Transmission fails to go into reverse intermittently due to new design.
- Electrical system › Ignition
When driving at hwy speeds, engine shuts down and vehicle IS difficult to steer.*ak
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
- 10170494This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
- 10138060This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10017568Intermittent chuggle or fishbite on light acceleration or a highway speeds with no diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs).
- 10012148New rear main seal and special tool for installation.
- 10008471New upper intake manifold and gasket kits.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 634813Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak.
- 620835Experiencing excessive engine coolant consumption, or an engine coolant leak near or under the throttle body area of the upper intake manifold.
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 619177Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak.
- 619176Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) updated 11/02/07
- 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
- 601394Some customers may comment that the cupholder does not stay latched.
- 601052Experiencing a transaxle gear whine noise on coast down or light acceleration between 20 and 40 mph.
- 600210Some owners may comment that the battery IS low or dead.
- 445802ABS adn traction off indicator lamps come on.
- 54421Experience a transaxle gear whine noise on coast down or light acceleration.
- 54328Experiencing intermittent steering column snap or click noise when turning.
- 54327Comments of an engine oil leak that appears to originate toward the driver's side of the vehicle; rear of engine.
- 54065Comments on inoperative power door locks (front and/or rear doors).
- 53021Information based on engine idle surge, or mil (malfunction indicator lamp) illuminated with dtc (diagnostic trouble code) p0131, p0171 or 44 set.
- 53015When brakes are depressed force or engine load may affect and cause various noises.
- 52567Driveline vibration over 37 mph (replace prom).
- 52564Excessive vibration of electrochromic inside rearview mirror.
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 51296Intermittent neutral or loss of drive at highway speeds or from fourth gear (replace control valve body assembly).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 45850Popping/fluttering/ticking/spark knock/clunking noise while driving up medium grades or accelerating from a stop (replace exhaust seal or right exhaust manifold).*sd
- 45847Coolant leak near belt tensioner assembly 9replace o-rings on heater coolant bypass inlet pipe assembly).
- 43039Unknown
- 43036Unknown
- 39723General motors has determined that certain 1995 oldsmobile 88 and 98 model vehicles equipped with a 3800 series II engine (pro L36), may have a deceleration stall under certain specific conditions. This could result in loss of power steering assist, generator and power braking assist. To prevent this condition from occurring, dealers are to replace suspect mem-cal of the powertrain control module (pcm) with a mem-cal of an improved design.
- 39308Cold start rattle noise.
- 39276Defroster grill warpage.
- 39081Inadvertent low fuel warning chime.
- 37957Popping/fluttering/ticking/spark knock noise while driving up medium grades or accelerating from a stop.
Every Oldsmobile 98 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.