1981 Oldsmobile 98 Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1981 Oldsmobile 98. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
1
Total complaints7

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Firestone tire was 2 years old, but unused (spare tire). Put on right front of car before trip. Driven 200 miles at 70mph (on I 75 south near gainesville, fl) in 95 degree temperature when tread came off right front tire. Tire was still fully pressurized, just had no tread. Tread coming off car…”

TIRES:TREAD/BELT · reported 1999-07-21

“Distributor failed.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · reported 1996-08-09

“Map sensor failed.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL · reported 1996-08-09

“Air conditioner hoses failed.”

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER · reported 1996-08-09

“Fuel injector in four barrel carburetor failed twice.”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM · reported 1996-08-09

“Catalytic converter failed.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR · reported 1996-08-09

“Engine heads leak antifreeze.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 1990-01-01
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1981 Oldsmobile 98 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.