Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 07e021000 (fuel system, other). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,500.
The worst 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes41
- Engine32
- Steering21
- Suspension18
- Electrical16
- Airbags9
- Visibility9
- Body8
- Tires7
- Fuel system6
- Lights6
- Seat belts5
- Transmission4
- Seats3
- Acceleration2
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Recalls 2
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- 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 bearings to escape.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- 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. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 03V527000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- 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, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and wyoming. If a buildup of snow or ice restricts the movement of the passenger side windshield wiper arm, the pivot housing can crack and the wipers will not operate.
- Risk
- Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash.
- 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 date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 01V068000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Defect investigations
Windshield wiper failure
In march 2001, gm notified the federal safety agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency number 01v068) on certain model year (my) 1997-1998 chevrolet malibu and oldsmobile cutlass vehicles to replace defective windshield wiper pivot housings.gm reported the wiper failure was triggered by loads placed on the wipers when operated under conditions of moderate to heavy snowfall.gm conducted the recall in 28 states and the district of columbia (recall states) that receive moderate to heavy snowfall.the recall covered the subject vehicles built through january 1998.odi opened this rq in response to complaints from consumers that experienced wiper failure and were denied the recall remedy.gm is sending letters to owners not located in the recall states giving them a free remedy upon request if they anticipate driving the vehicle in areas that may have moderate to heavy snowfall.in addition, gm is notifying all owners who have changed their residence from a non-recall state to a recall state since the date of the original owner notification letter (march 2001).the actions taken by the manufacturer are sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached summary.
RQ04006
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
Windshield wiper
On february 22, 2000, the office of defects investigation (odi) initiated pe00-009 based on seven reports of windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 1997 & 1998 chevrolet malibu & oldsmobile cutlass vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to ea00-019 on july 12, 2000.during the course of the investigation, it was found that the failures were the result of fracture of the passenger-side windshield wiper pivot housing (subject component).such a fracture LED to an immediate and irrecoverable loss of windshield wiper function.gmreported that the material composition (50% glass-reinforced acetal) of the subject component was insufficient to withstand stresses imposed by certain frozen precipitiation accumulations.the subject component material was changed to the stronger 50% glass-reinforcednylon-6, effective january 98.obsolete service part were discarded.gm will replace the subject components in 129,427 subject vehicles found in 28 states (ak, co, ct, de, id, il, in, ia me, md, ma, mi, mn, mt, ne, nh, nj, ny, nd, oh, pa, ri, sd, ut, vt, wv, wi, wy), the district of columbia, and all canadian provinces.these states accounted for 91% of the consumer complaints identified above.odi will monitor this compaign for adequate effctiveness and, if necessary, take further action in the future.further expenditure of agency resources on this matter is unjustified at this time.the engineering analysis is closed.
EA00019
Windshield wiper
There is no summary currently available
PE00009
Oversensitive air bag deployment
There is no summary currently available
EA99030
Inadvertent air bag deployments
There is no summary currently available
PE99037
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 97
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
- Electrical system
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 30 | 24 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 27 | 21 |
What 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
General motors recently recalled the 1997-2005 chevrolet malibu for the ignition switch problem. I own the sister vehicle which is a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. This vehicle is the identical layout of the chevrolet malibu which has been recalled. I sent a couple of e-mail messages to the gm customer assistance center and just received a phone call explaining to me that at this time they had no intention of doing a recall on the oldsmobile cutlass for the ignition switch. Even though I have not encountered a problem with my ignition switch as of yet, I deem it a safety issue which gm should fix. I do not know if anyone else has complained of similar issues as mine, but I wanted to inform you of my concerns. I do not know if this is the proper forum for this, so if not, please forward my concerns to the proper authorities. Thank you
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. Has happened numerous times while I have owned it for the last 10 or so years. When it happens I just quickly put it in neutral and restart immediately. This is a 1998 olds cutlass. It is apparent that gm's problem with their ignition switch goes back a lot farther than they care to admit.
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.
98 olds cutlass. Rear brake lines rusted through in vicinity of lr wheel . Resulted in sudden total loss of braking due to loss of all brake fluid. No separate reservoir for front brake fluid. Heard of similar event with same model style chevy malibu. No year known.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact stated that the steering wheel would tighten when making right and left turns. He received a recall letter pertaining to the steering rack and pinion, which stated that the lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly were not crimped properly. This is where the retainer tabs were located. The failure could allow the ball bearings to escape. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion); however, the contact felt no change in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time for repairs, but the failures still persisted. In addition, the contact heard a loud continuous banging noise coming from the steering column. The failure mileage was 66,051 and current mileage was less than 125,096.
I work for a ignition interlock company. I have seen several vehicles enter the service center with problems with the ignition switch. The key has to be shaken several times in order to get the key to turn to start the vehicle. These ignitions are mounted to the right of the steering column. I have noticed it on almost every vehicle that has the ignition mounted to the right of the steering column not on the column. That is an oldsmobile. I own the 1998 oldmobile cutlass. Was there ever a recall as defect of this ignition and is the dealership responsible for replacement? If I ever had an emergency I would not be able to start my car right away as it at times takes up to five to ten minutes to get the key to turn.
1) the failure occurred under normal use of wipers in heavy rain. 2) during normal use, the passenger side wiper arm appeared to become dislodged and began moving erratically. After inspection of the wiper assembly it was discovered that the plastic housing that holds the wiper arm to the wiper motor was cracked and broken away from the linkage to the wiper motor. The consequences of this failure is that neither wiper arm operates and this causes hazardous driving conditions by reducing visibility during rain or frost. 3) after researching this apparent defect in the manufacturers original part, I discovered an open recall is already in effect for this particular year, make, and model (the federal safety agency campaign id# 01v068000). The description under this recall is identical to the problem I encountered and is for the same vehicle. I contacted the manufacturer, gm-oldsmobile, and the open recall was verified, but I was told my particular VIN# was not on their list. I was told that if gm happens to add other vehicles from the same year, make, and model to the list then I would be notified, but no repairs would be offered.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. While driving 10 MPH or greater the vehicle would shut off without warning when the brake was depressed. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.
On 1/07 had low speed slide on icy road , causing impact with small tree, and resulting in minor cracks in right front bumper cap, and subsequent air bag deployment. Now, have received information regarding defective airbags which inadvertently deployed in minor crash conditions. Deployment has totaled vehicle with only minor damage.
Compare the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Other model years
Questions about the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Is the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Owners have filed 155 complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, close to a typical Cutlass model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Brakes, with 41 complaints, typically around 37,950 miles. Next is engine (32).
How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
2 recalls, covering steering and visibility.
What year does the Oldsmobile Cutlass have bad brakes?
The Oldsmobile Cutlass model years with the most brakes complaints are 1991 (59 complaints), 1992 (53 complaints) and 1990 (51 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 30 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history