RecallRepo

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 879,710 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 03V527000 2003-12-11 750,283 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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…

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…

VISIBILITY 01V068000 2001-03-08 129,427 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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…

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
7
1crashes
STEERING
7
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
7
SUSPENSION:FRONT
7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
6
4crashes2injuries
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
6
Total complaints223

What owners report

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

“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 07e021000 (fuel system, other). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2014-11-24

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2014-07-10

“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. *tt”

STEERING · reported 2013-08-28

“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. *tt”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2013-08-28

“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. *tr”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2009-06-01

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2008-12-03

“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…”

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES · reported 2007-10-10

“I have a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass with 55,000 miles--the car has a 3.1 liter v6 with a blown intake gasket-- it cost me $550 to have this fixed. Per 3 mechanics --"all"l 3.1 intake gaskets go out at around 50,00 miles I feel the gm should pay for defects that effects all 3.1s I've had 40+ cars in…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE · reported 2007-01-15

Defect investigations

Investigation EA00019 Opened 2000-07-12 · closed 2001-03-06

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 EA99030 Opened 1999-10-29 · closed 2002-03-25

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE00009 Opened 2000-02-22 · closed 2000-07-12

WINDSHIELD WIPER

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE99037 Opened 1999-05-19 · closed 1999-10-29

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 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…

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 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…

Investigation RQ04006 Opened 2004-07-07 · closed 2005-01-13

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA 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…

Investigation RQ04006 Opened 2004-07-07 · closed 2005-01-13

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA 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…

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 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.