Most common 1995 Oldsmobile 98 problems
Share of the 30 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Oldsmobile 98 complaints by model year
Best 98 years: 1996. Compare all years →
1995 Oldsmobile 98 recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
These vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. This can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlamp module.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
A spring in the head lamp portion of the head park lamp switch can fail preventing latching of the head lamp portion of the switch in the "on" position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect head/park lamp switch build date codes and replace switches with suspect date codes.
What 1995 Oldsmobile 98 owners say
Engine & cooling
The oxygen sensor came out of the exhaust train resulting in loud muffler noise. On the way to the dealer to have it looked at, the engine trouble light came on. The dealer informed me that the noise was from the oxygensensor which had come out, the mechanic shecked it and found nothing wrong so he reinserted it . I was then advised that the ABS system was not operating correctly ehich caused the engine light to come on. The ABS module and affected parts were replaced and the total bill came to $1013.61 which I paid. I do not believe I should have to pay for a part that should not have gone bad at that mileage and would appreciate any information that the factory May have put out about a claim for that obvious defect.
Consumer states coolant warning light flashes, there is puddles of antifreeze caused by the coolant level sensor retainer clips breaking off and leaving the sensor retained only by the friction of the o-ring seals.
Brakes
Air conditioner cooling temp was lower than normal stopped cooling inside of car dealer said he found leak and replaced under dash condenser unit at $800 cost next day no difference in air conditioner returned to dealer problem still unresolved. Vehicle has experienced several power door lock and power window problems still unresolved by dealer who said window morters are bad. In addition after daler repalced brake system master cyilinder the ABS light came on dealer said nothing they did caused problem- this was the third vehicle fluid leak repared by dealer
ABS: while traveling down road, 65 MPH, vehicles in front stopped to make turn; applied brakes, nothing happened; changed lanes to avoid hitting cars in rear.
Air bags
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle's front driver side airbag deployed on 06/20/06 while the ignition was on but in park. The front passenger side airbag also deployed while driving 60 MPH on 06/21/06. The was no impact to the vehicle during both incidents. The airbag light was not illuminated prior to the first incident however the contact observed the airbag light illuminated after the 2nd incident. There were no injuries sustained nor lose control of the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted on 06/22/06 who determined the vehicle should be repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 06/23/06 for a repair estimate however the vehicle was not due to the cost. A police report was filed on the deployment of the passenger side airbag.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Oldsmobile 98 royal. While driving 45 MPH, the driver side air bag suddenly deployed without warning. The contact had to hold the air bag down and pull over to the side of the road to prevent a crash. The contact suffered soreness in his neck and ribs. He also has an abrasion on his arm from the failure. He notified the dealer and the manufacturer and they stated that the air bag deployment was caused by the moisture in the component. They offered him a settlement to purchase the vehicle, however, they would not replace the air bags or give him a new vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 184,716.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Oldsmobile 98 a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 98 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 98 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Oldsmobile 98?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the brakes (5) and air bags (5).
How many recalls does the 1995 Oldsmobile 98 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1995 Oldsmobile 98, the most recent from October 4, 1994 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Oldsmobile 98?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996. See the full Oldsmobile 98 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1995 Oldsmobile 98 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 121,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.