Model year guide

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints174
Combined21–24 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls 3

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

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.

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.

Steering:rack And Pinion NHTSA Campaign #03V527000 · 11/12/2003

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.

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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630…

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages NHTSA Campaign #01V068000 · 08/03/2001

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, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW…

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 DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-22…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass common problems

Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass MPG & running costs

Combined21–24 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,000

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,000
Fuel only$15,000
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS · GL
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass vehicles on record

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS1G3NG52MXW6322620 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GL1G3NB52MXW6341831 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GL1G3NB52M4W6339752 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS1G3NG52M9W6310555 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GL1G3NB52M6W6302170 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS1G3NG52MXW6344648 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS1G3NG52M3W6306064

Other Oldsmobile Cutlass model years

1999 1997

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass?

Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, steering, structure.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass get?

The 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.