1994 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 1994 Oldsmobile 98 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1994 Oldsmobile 98, several common problems have been identified:
- ABS Light Due to Brake Lamp Failure: Another common problem is the illumination of the ABS light due to brake lamp failure. This issue can indicate a malfunction in the brake system, potentially affecting the vehicle's braking performance and safety.
- Spark Plug Replacement: Owners have reported the need to replace spark plugs every 30,000 miles. Regular spark plug replacement is essential for maintaining the engine's performance and fuel efficiency, as worn-out spark plugs can lead to misfires and poor engine operation.
- Engine Knock: There have been concerns about engine knock in the 1994 Oldsmobile 98, specifically related to bearing knock on the 3.8 engines. This issue is attributed to excessive clearance on the number one main bearing, potentially causing serious engine problems and requiring immediate attention to prevent further damage.
These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that arise with the 1994 Oldsmobile 98 to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the vehicle.
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.
What is a 1995 Oldsmobile 98 worth?
The value of a used 1995 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight ranges from $14 to $80, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
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.
Why wont my Oldsmobile 98 start?
The most common reasons an Oldsmobile 98 won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
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 is an Oldsmobile 98 worth?
A: The lowest recorded sale price was $1,000 for a 1973 Oldsmobile 98 on Aug 27 2022. Q: What is the average sale price of a Oldsmobile 98? A: The average price of a Oldsmobile 98 is $35,073.
Why wont my Oldsmobile 98 start?
The most common reasons an Oldsmobile 98 won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
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.
1994 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:
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1994 Oldsmobile 98 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1994 Oldsmobile 98 complaints
The NHTSA has received 19 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1994 Oldsmobile 98.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G3CW52L0R4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3CX52L0R4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE WILL START STALLING, RESULTING IN COMPLETE SHUTDOWN.*AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN, BUT NOT NECCESSARILY WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR WERE REPLACED AND A CRACKED VACCUM LINE WAS REPLACED.*JB
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED ON 11/26/2000 FROM A SEARS BRANCH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT 100000 MILE. CURRENTLY (6/11/2002) THE VEHICLE IS 122023 MILES AND THERE IS A BIG CRACK ON THE WALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE TIRE. IT LOOKS MUCH LIKE WHAT HAPPENED WITH FORD MODELS. THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW BUT THE AIR WAS GONE THINKING THAT IT WAS A FLAT I TOOK IT TO GET IT REPAIRED, IT WAS SAID THE TIRE BEYOND REPAIR. I HAVE THE TIRE WITH ME AND CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF WANTED...PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEOFE ANOTHER FORD INCIDENT HAPPENNES AND MORE PEOPLE DIES. I WAS LUCKY THAT I NOTICED IT EARLIER...THANKS. *AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-02-19
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G3CW52L0R4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE HIT A SMALL TREE, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER RECEIVED BURNS TO RIGHT SIDE OF FACE/ BLEEDING BEHIND RIGHT EYE, AND A FRACTURED NOSE. STILL UNDER MEDICAL ATTENTION. *AK *JB
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G3CW5210R4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: CONSUMER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO HYPOGLYCEMIA AND HIT A TREE, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G3CXS21OR4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-09-24
- VIN: 1G3CX52L4R4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
- Summary: ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERATE DUE TO VALVE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC THAT FOUND THE PROBLEM SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND GENERAL MOTORS FAILS TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN. PERHAPS THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RE-CALL ON THIS DEVICE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-06-08
- VIN: 1G3CW5215R4
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE STALLED AT 40MPH ON DOWNHILL. HAS STALLED BEFORE AT SLOW SPEEDS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3VCX52LOR
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EXHAUST FUMES COME INTO VEHICLE. (QCAW)
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G3CWR210R4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION , UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-23
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G3CX52L2R4
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKES: DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 10MPH ,STARTED BRAKING BECAUSE FIRE TRUCK WAS COMING . APPLIED BRAKES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, AND THEY WOULD NOT HOLD. BRAKES FAILED AND REAR ENDED A CAR. *AK *SLC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-15
- VIN: 1G3CX52L1R4
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL GAUGE GOES UP/DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND FUEL LEVEL, COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL UNKNOWINGLY. *AK
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-06
- VIN: 1G3CX52L6R4
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK RECLINED TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-25
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Fire: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CAUSING A MINOR FIRE, ALSO AIRBAGS BROKE WINDSHIELD. *AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-25
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Fire: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CAUSING A MINOR FIRE, ALSO AIRBAGS BROKE WINDSHIELD. *AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-25
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Fire: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG WAS VIOLENT IN FRONTAL COLLISION, RESULTING IN A MINOR FIRE/INJURIES. *AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-25
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS VIOLENT IN FRONTAL COLLISION. *AK
STRUCTURE,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-17
- VIN: 1G3CX52L2R4
- Components: STRUCTURE,SEATS
- Summary: DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, EQUIPPED WITH POWER DOORS. TT CONSUMER STATES THERE IS NO OVER-RIDE FAILURE FEATURE IN CASE OF POWER FAILURE. SEAT TRACK HAD TO BE REPLACED, SEAT WAS WOBBLY. *SLC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3CX52L2R4
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DEALER INSTALL FOUR NEW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHEN RETRACTING THE SEAT BELT TWIST . TT
1994 Oldsmobile 98 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1994 Oldsmobile 98.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: A SPRING IN THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE HEAD PARK LAMP SWITCH CAN FAIL PREVENTING LATCHING OF THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE SWITCH IN THE "ON" POSITION.
- Consequence: THE HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT STAY ILLUMINATED RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT HEAD/PARK LAMP SWITCH BUILD DATE CODES AND REPLACE SWITCHES WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1994 Oldsmobile 98 problems:
Q&A: Troubleshooting 1994 Oldsmobile 98 Problems | JustAnswer
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1994 Oldsmobile 98 Problems and Complaints - 19 Issues
Problem with your 1994 Oldsmobile 98? Our list of 19 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1994 Oldsmobile 98.
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1994 Oldsmobile 98 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get 1994 Oldsmobile 98 repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Oldsmobile mechanics near you.
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