NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Oldsmobile 98 Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Oldsmobile 98 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 10 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Oldsmobile dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Oldsmobile 98. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1996 Oldsmobile 98 owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Oldsmobile 98, describing incidents dated October 18, 1995 to April 10, 2022.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 3 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Seat Belts 2 complaints
Power Train 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Together, the 10 complaints on file report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11461221 · Filed April 18, 2022
The contact owns a 1996 Oldsmobile 98. The contact stated while driving at 10-15 MPH, the driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was drivable; however, the contact's boyfriend pushed the vehicle in…
ODI #10452669 · Filed March 22, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER AS NOTED ON OTHER MODELS IS DEFECTIVE IN THIS MODEL BUT IS NOT LISTED WITH GM FOR THIS VIN. THEIR IS NO SECURITY WARNING CHIME WHEN "KEY IN THE IGNITION" IN THE OFF POSITION AND DOOR OPEN. HOWEVER, THE SEATBELT WARNING CHIME DOES WORK. *TR
ODI #10335366 · Filed June 8, 2010
INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. AUTO MOVING AT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR, NO COLLISION WITH ANYTHING AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. UPPER BODY INJURIES, WENT TO HOSPITAL. AUTO TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

Read all 10 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Oldsmobile 98 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA02-030: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed March 9, 2004
- Recall 04V-090
Recall Query RQ03-001: POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Closed September 15, 2003

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injection System

NHTSA #96V116000 · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 275,811 vehicles

Owners notified July 8, 1996 · Vehicles built July 1, 1995 – May 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L V6 ENGINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATIONS BEGAN DURING JULY 1996. NOTE: 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Electrical System — Ignition — Anti-Theft — Control Module

NHTSA #95V204000 · NHTSA notice

Reported October 23, 1995 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 32,869 vehicles

Owners notified September 22, 1995 · Vehicles built March 1, 1995 – August 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.

Safety consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Notes

SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION; ANTI-THEFT; FMVSS NO. 114 AND NO. 208.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Oldsmobile 98. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Oldsmobile 98.

Air Bags

ODI #11461221

Incident: April 10, 2022 · Filed: April 18, 2022

The contact owns a 1996 Oldsmobile 98. The contact stated while driving at 10-15 MPH, the driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was drivable; however, the contact's boyfriend pushed the vehicle in the nearby parking lot with assistance of a bystander. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's friend. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10452669

Incident: February 4, 2012 · Filed: March 22, 2012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER AS NOTED ON OTHER MODELS IS DEFECTIVE IN THIS MODEL BUT IS NOT LISTED WITH GM FOR THIS VIN. THEIR IS NO SECURITY WARNING CHIME WHEN "KEY IN THE IGNITION" IN THE OFF POSITION AND DOOR OPEN. HOWEVER, THE SEATBELT WARNING CHIME DOES WORK. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10335366

1 injury

Incident: June 6, 2010 · Filed: June 8, 2010

INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. AUTO MOVING AT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR, NO COLLISION WITH ANYTHING AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. UPPER BODY INJURIES, WENT TO HOSPITAL. AUTO TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10099824

Incident: March 1, 2002 · Filed: November 12, 2004

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT IWAS MISSING LIKE A SPARK PLUG IF IWAS NOT FIRING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT VERY ISSUE. HOWEVER, CONSUMER CONTACTED GMC, AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Air Bags

ODI #974134

1 injury

Incident: October 18, 1995 · Filed: October 30, 1995

PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF COLLISION. TT

Suspension

ODI #602792

Incident: July 3, 1996 · Filed: February 12, 1997

WHEEL BEARING FAILED.

Electrical System

ODI #602774

Incident: November 11, 1996 · Filed: February 12, 1997

BATTERY REPLACED.

Seat Belts

ODI #526823

Filed: December 18, 1997

SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT FOR PROPER USE.

Seat Belts

ODI #519357

Filed: July 11, 1997

REAR SEAT BELTS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO BE UTILIZED.

Power Train

ODI #510583

Incident: October 21, 1996 · Filed: October 25, 1996

TRANSMISSION GEAR LEVER STICKS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE NOT ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK.

Other Oldsmobile 98 model years

Check your 1996 Oldsmobile 98 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Oldsmobile 98 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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