MYRModel Year Report

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass

● Typical for this model
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:21.245Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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
155
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 16 complaints 1985: 18 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1988: 74 complaints 1989: 113 complaints 1989 1990: 103 complaints 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1995: 156 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 155 complaints 1998 155 1999: 80 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 16 complaints 1984 1985: 18 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1988: 74 complaints 1988 1989: 113 complaints 1990: 103 complaints 1990 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 155 complaints 1998 155 1999: 80 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 16 complaints 1984 1985: 18 complaints 1985 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1987 1988: 74 complaints 1988 1989: 113 complaints 1989 1990: 103 complaints 1990 1991: 193 complaints 1991 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1993 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 155 complaints 1998 155 1999: 80 complaints 1999

1998: 155 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19813
19821
19835
198416
198518
198623
198716
198874
1989113
1990103
1991193
1992136
1993139
1994148
1995156
1996123
199796
1998155
199980

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

32% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

23% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Engine assembled incorrectly or assembled using defective materials. Gasket failure on the intake manifold allows water to mix with oil and/or fuel, if left uncorrected this will destroy the engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-25

Steering

14% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.

Show complaint excerpts

Frame, where steering rack bolts to, rusted out. Steering rack became separated from the frame causing a dangerous steering condition. Frame needs to be replaced at a very high cost.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-28

Also filed under Structure

Suspension

12% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing front and lower arm.

Electrical system

12% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing control module and interior/under dash.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Have had ignition switch just shut off driving down the road. Exactly as described in GM's recent recall on ignition switches on newer cars. Loses all electrical power and engine shuts off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-31

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1999-05-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-29 Inadvertent air bag deployments
  2. I
    1999-10-29Engineering analysisClosed 2002-03-25 Oversensitive air bag deployment
  3. I
    2000-02-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-07-12 Windshield wiper
  4. I
    2000-07-12Engineering analysisClosed 2001-03-06 Windshield wiper
  5. R
    2001-08-14Visibility01V068000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  7. R
    2004-02-05Steering03V527000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2004-07-07Recall queryClosed 2005-01-13 Windshield wiper failure
  9. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V068000 · Visibility
  • Recall 03V527000 · Steering
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
3 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.