MYRModel Year Report

1991 Oldsmobile 98

○ Not enough data
1991 Oldsmobile 98
RENDERED 2026-11-01T06:36:18.670Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
49
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

55% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 17 complaints 1991: 49 complaints 1991 49 1992: 38 complaints 1993: 13 complaints 1994: 16 complaints 1995: 30 complaints 1995 1996: 10 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 27 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaint 2000: 0 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 17 complaints 1991: 49 complaints 1991 49 1992: 38 complaints 1993: 13 complaints 1994: 16 complaints 1994 1995: 30 complaints 1996: 10 complaints 1996 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 27 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaint 2000: 0 complaints 2000
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 15 complaints 1987 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 17 complaints 1990 1991: 49 complaints 1991 49 1992: 38 complaints 1992 1993: 13 complaints 1993 1994: 16 complaints 1994 1995: 30 complaints 1995 1996: 10 complaints 1996 1997: 30 complaints 1997 1998: 27 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaint 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2000

1991: 49 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19812
19822
19831
19841
19859
198613
198715
198810
198911
199017
199149
199238
199313
199416
199530
199610
199730
199827
19991
20000

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

55% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Electrical system

24% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Horn buttons difficult to locate in an emergency situation due to size/color.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-14

Air bags

14% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-25

Consumer states that airbag light flashed and drivers side airbag deployed. Cause is unknown. Ts

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-25

Equipment

8% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift and air conditioner.

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1991-10-08Parking brake91V167000 When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.

    Remedy: Replace parking brake lever assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1991-11-22Power train91V198000 The console mounted shift lever may disengage from the shift control cable bracket causing loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.

    Remedy: Install two transaxle shift control cable retaining clips.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1993-02-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-05-03 Fuel line failure

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Oldsmobile 98 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V167000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 91V198000 · Power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Oldsmobile 98?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.