1987 Oldsmobile 98 problems
The Oldsmobile 98 (spelled Ninety-Eight from 1952 to 1991, and Ninety Eight from 1992 to 1996) is the full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile that was produced from 1940 until 1942, and then from 1946 to 1996. The name – reflecting a "Series 90" fitted with an 8-cylinder engine – first appeared in 1941 and was used again after American consumer automobile production resumed post-World War II. It was, as it would remain, the division's top-of-the-line model, with lesser Oldsmobiles having lower numbers such as the A-body 66 and 68, and the B-body 76 and 78. The Series 60 was retired in 1949, the same year the Oldsmobile 78 was replaced by the 88. The Oldsmobile 76 was retired after 1950. This left the two remaining number-names to carry on into the 1990s as the bread and butter of the full-size Oldsmobile lineup until the Eighty Eight-based Regency replaced the 98 in 1997.
Occasionally additional nomenclature was used with the name, such as L/S and Holiday, and the 98 Regency badge would become increasingly common in the later years of the model. The 98 shared its General Motors C-body platform with Buick and Cadillac.
Since it was the top-line Oldsmobile, the series had the most technologically advanced items available, such as the Hydramatic automatic transmission, the Autronic Eye, an automatic headlight dimmer, and Twilight Sentinel (a feature that automatically turned the headlights on and off via a light sensor and a delay timer, as controlled by the driver), and the highest-grade interior and exterior trim.
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Common 1987 Oldsmobile 98 problems
The Oldsmobile 98, particularly the 1987 model, has been known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. One of the most frequently reported issues is related to the anti-theft system that uses a raised-chip key. This system can prevent the car from starting, causing significant inconvenience for the owners.
Another common problem reported by owners is the lack of spark, which can be caused by various factors, including a faulty crank sensor or computer
. This issue can be challenging to diagnose and fix, often requiring the replacement of multiple parts before the problem is resolved.
The headliner of the 1987 Oldsmobile 98 is also known to sag, a problem that is common in many cars of this era. While this issue is not critical, it can affect the car's appearance and overall comfort. Fortunately, repairing this problem is relatively straightforward and inexpensive, with replacement cloth kits available for less than $70.
The 1987 Oldsmobile 98 is also known to have issues with its electrics, particularly the air conditioning system. This problem can be costly to fix, with system failures occurring monthly, especially when the car is out of warranty.
In summary, the Oldsmobile 98, particularly the 1987 model, has several common problems that can affect its reliability and overall performance. These issues include problems with the anti-theft system, lack of spark, sagging headliner, and issues with the electrics, particularly the air conditioning system. While some of these problems are relatively easy to fix, others can be challenging and costly, requiring the replacement of multiple parts before the problem is resolved.
What does the 98 in Oldsmobile mean?
In 1941 both engines were offered on each series so to differentiate between the two the second digit was used to denote the number of cylinders, so the Custom Cruiser 90 was replaced with the Custom Cruiser 96 and 98. In 1942 Oldsmobile dropped the six cylinder Series 90 model leaving only the Custom Cruiser 98.
How much does a 1987 Oldsmobile 98 weight?
Wheelbase was 110.8 inches, with an overall length of 196.4 inches. Curb weight was 3316 pounds (for the 1987 Regency Brougham sedan).
What was the last year of the Oldsmobile 98?
But personally, I feel like Oldsmobile died when they discontinued the 98 in 1996, as it was the last one to carry the torch lit by the brand in its mid-century heyday—big, American cars that transported us in comfort and style.
How much horsepower does a 1973 Oldsmobile 98 have?
250 HP
Engine equipped with 455 ci V8 and 250 HP with automatic transmission.
1987 Oldsmobile 98 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Oldsmobile 98 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Oldsmobile 98 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Oldsmobile 98 complaints
The NHTSA has received 17 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Oldsmobile 98.
STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-03-03
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: NAR 03-25-2003. *MR. SEVERAL PARTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED SUCH AS 2 EGR VALVES, IDLE PASSAGE SWITCH, POWER ANTENNA, TRANSMISSION GASKET, CV BOOT, AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITION CONTROL UNIT, RADIO SPEAKERS, CRUISE CONTROL, RANDOM STALLING, CRACKED RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE SPRING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT DID NOT HOLD, AIR CONDITION DID NOT WORK DUE TO A FREON LEAK, HEAD LIGHT ADJUSTING SCREW BROKE, TIE RODS, BATTERY CABLES, GAS GAUGE BROKE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE, THE HORN WAS HARD TO PUSH. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-01
- VIN: 1G3CW5132H4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: OLDSMOBILE HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY BAD MANUFACTURING ON THEIR PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR DURING THE TIME THAT THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT SINCE NO FAILURES WERE NOTED AT THAT TIME/WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM A REAL WARM BODY WHO CARES ABOUT THE PRODUCTS PLACED INTO SERVICE . WHEN THIS FAILS AT 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE URGE TO GET TO .SOME ONE IN OLDSMOBILE THAT KNOWS ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT SAFETY IS OVERPOWERING. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
- VIN: 1G3CW5132H4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CAR DIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - SERVICE PERSONS CAN NOT FIND FAILURE. VERY DAGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED IN HEAVY (FIVE LANES OF VEHICLES)TRAFFIC. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-02-01
- VIN: 1G3CW5138H4
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: STEEL ENGINE MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING REAR CRADLE BOLT TO SHEAR OFF AND ENGINE TO FALL OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. *AK ENGINE MOUNTING CRADLE HAS NOT FAILED BUT MECHANIC TELLS TO CONSUMER IT MAY FAIL, AND CHECKS IT REGULARY. *YH
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-03-20
- VIN: 1G3CW5134H1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO TILT STEERING MECHANISM. I WAS TOLD BY A REPAIR SHOP THAT THE "ANCHOR BOLTS" SECURING THE STEERING COLUMN HAVE COME LOOSE AND WOULD NEED TO BE RETIGHTENED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-10-12
- VIN: 1G3CX5133H4
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS UNPREDICTABLY AND AT ANY SPEED. ECM REPLACED - NO CHANGE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-01-07
- Crash: 1
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING STOP THROTTLE GOT STUCK, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-18
- VIN: 1G3CW5134H4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE FAILURE. WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL #87V093000 DOES NOT COVER THIS VEHICLE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-05-07
- VIN: 1G3CX5133H1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ABS BRAKES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MAKE/MODEL (87V-093). *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1992-06-01
- VIN: 21G3CX513XH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: PROLONGED BRAKING, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, CAUSES ABS AND BRAKE ALARM LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON UNIL ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. LITTLE TO NO HYDRAULIC BRAKING IS AVAILABLE WHEN BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND SOON FAIL IF BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED HARD.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-29
- VIN: 1G3CW5135H1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SD
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-21
- VIN: 1G36W5134H4
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: FAILURE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, DOOR CANNOT OPEN ON THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3CW5135H1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: IN COLD WEATHER THE STEERING IS HARD TURNING UNTIL IT GET WARM . TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-06
- VIN: 1G3JX5130H4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: DRIVING ALONG IN THE SHOPPING CENTER TRIED TO STOP AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE GONE. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-06
- VIN: 1G3JX5130H4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: REPAIRED MASTER CYLINDER. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-06
- VIN: 1G3JX5130H4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: REPAIRED POWER BRAKES. 8AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1990-03-28
- VIN: 1G3CX5135H1
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT LATCH. TT
1987 Oldsmobile 98 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1987 Oldsmobile 98.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
- Summary: EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.
- Consequence: THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- Summary: AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.
- Consequence: THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
- Remedy: THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
- Summary: THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.
- Consequence: LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.
- Remedy: THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Oldsmobile 98 problems:
1987 Olds Regency 98 Broughm Idle Problems - ClassicOldsmobile ...
Dec 11, 2007 ... It might also be a crank positioning sensor. The GM 3.8L engines had a common problem with the crank positioning sensor getting wet and giving a ...
Oldsmobile Regency ECU: Troubleshooting Engine Stalling ...
Jan 12, 2010 ... 1987 Olds 98 Regency starts & stalls sometimes. Engine only has half power. Problem came on suddenly was running fine prior.
stalling issues on my 85 olds 98 regency broughm ...
1987 Olds Regency 98 Broughm Idle Problems ... I have a 1987 Olds Regency 98 Brougham with the 3.8 EFI engine. ... The GM 3.8L engines had a common ...
Q&A: Troubleshooting 1990 Oldsmobile 98 Regency | JustAnswer
Dec 3, 2008 ... Ok. Well the most common problem with these vehicles in the situation that you are describing is a Crankshaft Position Sensor failure. When the ...
1987 Oldsmobile 98 Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Mar 19, 2011 ... Faults: Transmission needed a re-build at 36,000 miles from deteriorated seals, and plastic internal parts. Rear air struts at 45,000 miles; ...
Other years of Oldsmobile 98
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