Known Recalls

Model year record

1991 OLDSMOBILE 98

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 69 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V198000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
6,866
Reported to NHTSA
1991-11-14
Owners notified
1991-11-22

Defect description

THE CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL TWO TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIPS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V167000

Parking brake: conventional: mechanical

Component
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
20,765
Reported to NHTSA
1991-09-23
Owners notified
1991-10-08

Defect description

WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder6—
Air bags: frontal4115,970 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Air bags2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Child seat: harness buckle: infant1176,000 mi
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Structure: body1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1990 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1992 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.