Defect
OMISSION OF THE CERTIFICATION LABELS AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS".
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL REQUIRED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
1985 Oldsmobile 98 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 1985 Oldsmobile 98 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
10
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
5
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1985 compare to other 98 years?
What are the most common 1985 Oldsmobile 98 problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 5 | 50% | new |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 20% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 2 | 20% | new |
| Transmission | 1 | 10% | new |
Does the 1985 Oldsmobile 98 have recalls?
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE STEERING IS HARD TO TURN THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS CAR . TT CONSUMER UNTIL THE VEHICLE HEATS UP THE STEERING IS EXTREMLY DIFFICULT, CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING NEW.*JB”
“CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER THEN PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A SMALL FIRE AND THE DRIVETRAIN AXLE WAS ON THE GROUND, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES HE WAS INJURED.*JB ”
1985 Oldsmobile 98 — common questions
Is the 1985 Oldsmobile 98 reliable?
The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
What are the most common 1985 98 problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (5 complaints), speed control (2 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints).
Does the 1985 Oldsmobile 98 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1985 Oldsmobile 98. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1985 Oldsmobile 98 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Oldsmobile 98 years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 98 years to avoid are 1995, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998. The cleanest record among 98 years belongs to 2000.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.