The 1991 Oldsmobile 98 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 27,631 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN91V1980001991-11-146,866 affected
Defect
THE CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Consequence
THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARKPOSITION WITHOUT SETTING THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT ACTUALLY BEIN PARK, RESULTING IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ON AGRADE. ALSO, THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUTTURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THE…
Remedy
INSTALL TWO TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIPS.
PARKING BRAKE91V1670001991-09-2320,765 affected
Defect
WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Consequence
DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Remedy
REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
14
3crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I smelled what seemed to be burning wire coming from inside my vehicle while I was driving. Shortly thereafter I noticed smoke coming from the steering wheel. Subsequently, the airbag deployed while I was operating the vehicle.*ak”
“The buckle on the harness will not fit into the latch between the child's legs. Consumer has to hold the two sections of the buckle together with both hands in order to get the system to work. *ak”
“Consumer states that airbag light flashed and drivers side airbag deployed. Cause is unknown. Ts”
“Consumer had noticed a strong vibration coming from engine. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and they replaced engine valve to find a solution, but did not help and the problem still there. Please provide more information.*ak”
“Panic stop to avoid hitting car in front that stopped short to avoid dog in road. Brake pedal went to floor, very long stopping distance, steered around car ahead avoiding accident. Brake pedal did not returnto normal for about 20 minutes of pumping and test stops, proceeded with journey normally.…”
“Panic stop to avoid hitting car in front that stopped short to avoid dog in road. Brake pedal went to floor, very long stopping distance, steered around car ahead avoiding accident. Brake pedal did not returnto normal for about 20 minutes of pumping and test stops, proceeded with journey normally.…”
“Consumer was rear ended at about 25-30 mph, and front passenger seat broke on right side of seat. Contacted manufacturer. *ak”
“Consumer was traveling about 40mph on highway and driver's side airbag went off without prior warning. He was able to pull over and control his vehicle. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE93007 Opened 1993-02-10 · closed 1993-05-03
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 Oldsmobile 98 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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