VehicleVerdict

1987 Oldsmobile 98 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 1987 Oldsmobile 98 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

25

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other 98 years?

98 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted71 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 1 complaints1977: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 7 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 10 complaints1986: 13 complaints1987: 25 complaints1988: 11 complaints1989: 14 complaints1990: 26 complaints1991: 69 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 15 complaints1994: 23 complaints1995: 71 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 35 complaints1998: 32 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 0 complaints
98 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 98 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Oldsmobile 98 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes624%
Steering312%
Electrical System312%
Engine312%
Transmission28%
Speed Control28%
Other14%
Seat Belts14%
Fuel System14%
Latches & Locks14%
Suspension14%
Lighting14%

Does the 1987 Oldsmobile 98 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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).

88V080000Speed ControlMay 16, 1988 · 35,057 units

Defect

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.

87V135000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 1987 · 479,715 units

Defect

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.

87V093000BrakesJune 23, 1987 · 6,004 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 1992

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 20, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 3, 2003

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2000

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 7, 1999 · crash

1987 Oldsmobile 98 — common questions

Is the 1987 Oldsmobile 98 reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1987 98 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (6 complaints), steering (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1987 Oldsmobile 98 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Oldsmobile 98. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Oldsmobile 98 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 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.