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1996 Oldsmobile 98 problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Oldsmobile 98 is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical 98 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
10
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
27
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 1996 Oldsmobile 98 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Suspension
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Suspension
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported July 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles affected
What is wrong
A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
Risk
This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
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.

Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control moduleReported October 23, 1995 · 32,869 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.

Recall number 95V204000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Oldsmobile 98

Defect investigations

Power rack and pinion steering failureOpened January 2, 2003, closed September 15, 2003

Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.

RQ03001

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02030

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Oldsmobile 98 27

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 27 bulletins for the 1996 Oldsmobile 98

What 1996 Oldsmobile 98 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 18, 2022 · Airbags · 230,000 miles · MO

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.

Filed Mar 22, 2012 · Electrical · MD

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Airbags · MI · 1 injury

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.

Filed Nov 12, 2004 · Electrical · MD

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.

Filed Dec 18, 1997 · Seat belts · FL

Seat belts are too short for proper use.

Filed Jul 11, 1997 · Seat belts · FL

Rear seat belts not long enough to be utilized.

Filed Feb 12, 1997 · Suspension · CA

Wheel bearing failed.

Filed Feb 12, 1997 · Electrical · CA

Battery replaced.

Filed Oct 25, 1996 · Transmission · MI

Transmission gear lever sticks when put in reverse not allowing vehicle to roll back.

Filed Oct 30, 1995 · Airbags · OH · 1 injury

Driver's side airbags deployed without any type of collision. Tt

Compare the 1996 Oldsmobile 98

Other model years

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Questions about the 1996 Oldsmobile 98

Is the 1996 Oldsmobile 98 reliable?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile 98, fewer than a typical 98 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Oldsmobile 98?

Airbags, with 3 complaints. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile 98 have?

2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and electrical system.

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