"How reliable is the 1997 Oldsmobile 98?"

"Based on 35 NHTSA complaints, the 1997 Oldsmobile 98 has a median complaint mileage of 0 miles. The most common issue is SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER."

"What are common problems with the 1997 Oldsmobile 98?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile 98 is SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, accounting for a significant portion of the 35 total complaints filed."

1997 Oldsmobile 98: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 35 complaints

Total Complaints

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Top Issue

Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELTS

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"SEAT BELTS STRAPS TOO SHORT."

"REAR SEAT SAFETY BELT ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR AN AVERAGE 150 TO 170 LB. PERSON."

"THE BUCKLE FOR SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28