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.
The worst 1996 Oldsmobile 98 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Seat belts2
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Seat belts2
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- 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 module
- 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 failure
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 fires
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.
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) tt...
- Intermittent chuggle or fishbite on light acceleration or a highway speeds with no diagnostic trouble...
- New upper intake manifold and gasket kits
- New rear main seal and special tool for installation
- Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak
- Experiencing excessive engine coolant consumption, or an engine coolant leak near or under the throttle...
- Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E or 4T65-E transaxles may comment on a...
What 1996 Oldsmobile 98 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
Seat belts are too short for proper use.
Rear seat belts not long enough to be utilized.
Wheel bearing failed.
Battery replaced.
Transmission gear lever sticks when put in reverse not allowing vehicle to roll back.
Driver's side airbags deployed without any type of collision. Tt
Compare the 1996 Oldsmobile 98
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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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