Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 31 | 18% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 7% |
| Steering | 12 | 7% |
| Suspension | 11 | 6% |
| Visibility | 9 | 5% |
| Air bags | 9 | 5% |
| Structure | 6 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 3% |
| Tires | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 RE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
HAVE HAD IGNITION SWITCH JUST SHUT OFF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN GM'S RECENT RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCHES ON NEWER CARS. LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENGINE SHUTS OFF. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TIGHTEN WHEN MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO THE STEERING RACK AND PINION, WHICH ST
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 V
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
Risk: 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
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 DA
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 31 of them (18%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.