1997 Oldsmobile 98 problems
The 1997 Oldsmobile 98 has 35 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (49%) concerns seat belts. After that come electrical system (9%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 35 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Seat belts 49% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
None of these complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 100% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Oldsmobile 98 with enough data (10 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Automatic air conditioner/heating system turns the temperature down to 60 degrees erratically, causing windshield to fog in freezing weather.
Consumers seat belts are not long enough to accomodate passengers, thee rear seat belts are sunken into the cushions ,when pulled out they do not reach. Dealer said they would give extedners when called, consumer was told they had to be obese to receive it. Oldsmobile said they would have something in september, retrofits have not been received, consumers front driver seat belt is so far behind the lock that it does not reach, and the rear seat has three belts that are not long enough.
Consumer's wife weight is 125lbs. She got into the rear seat of the vehicle, but could not be properly restrained. The rear seat belts were to0 short to fasten around her.
Rea seat belts unable to fasten them to secure passengers. Buckles recessed to far into rear seat cushion. Requires asistance tobuckles passengers belts. Very dangerous.
While getting on the freeway the engine just stopped. I noticed the steering wheel froze, and looked down and saw that the lights had come in and the engine had stopped. I was able to put in park and start the engine. No further problems the rest of that trip. About a month later the same thing happened to my daughter. Engine shut off while getting on freeway and she wa able to start car back up.