Model year record

1998 OLDSMOBILE Cutlass

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 223 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V068000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
129,427
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-08
Owners notified
2001-08-14

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.

Safety risk

REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1860,537 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13
Engine and engine cooling: engine1055,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system740,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7
Steering766,051 mi
Steering: rack and pinion715,000 mi
Suspension: front7
Air bags: frontal671,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe555,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic530,000 mi
Suspension539,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer571,000 mi
Electrical system470,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module445,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling441,901 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights4
Tires460,537 mi
Equipment369,000 mi
Seats369,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm3
Air bags276,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Power train: automatic transmission236,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Steering: rack and pinion: rack2118,000 mi
Structure: body2
Structure: body: trunk lid260,537 mi
Structure: frame and members2141,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing220,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages215,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system140,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices140,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system193,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other1145,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1118,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments160,537 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1122,083 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs199,000 mi
Suspension: rear1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1

The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 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.