Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A week after I bought the car used in October 2002 there was noise from front left end of vehicle....there is another noise that comes from the steering when turning the wheels trying to park the car.....I took the car back to the dealer and they said they don't hear anything...also I had the car checked out the same day for the brakes...there was a squealing noise on the front left side and the car wouldn't brake properly...the dealer replaced the left brake pad..I haven't had any trouble with the brakes since...three weeks later I took the car back to the dealer for the steering noises and they said it would be costly for the labor to find out the problem and that it May not be covered by warranty...they said since it's only minor and is not causing any problems it would probably be better to keep driving it until something went wrong to where they would know where the problem was …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate to start and eventually would not start at all. The check engine light illuminated. The local mechanic diagnosed the failure as needing a new intake manifold and made the repair. The check engine light has begun to illuminate and the vehicle continues to experience difficulty starting. The local mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as needing another intake manifold. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN, powertrain, engine size, and purchase date were unknown. The current mileage is 140,000 and failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 07/10/07
Improperly assembled engine or engine assembled with defective materials. Intake manifold gasket fails allowing water to mix with oil and/or fuel, if left uncorrected this condition will destroy the engine. Symptoms seen as early as 36,000 miles with the vehicle being four years old. Had repaired in my Cutlass on dec. 27, 2002 for $606.06 by chuck nash Chevy/olds/Buick/Jeep/Eagle, san marcos, tx 41901 miles on the odometer at that time thanks for your help. Good luck. Mark c. Erickson director of recording arts
Intake manifold gasket failure on my 1998 olds Cutlass resulted in total damage to my engine. After researching this specific problem I have found it to be a very widespread complaint, that should have been corrected at GM's expense. This condition was discovered while the vehicle was under extended service contract by master guard. When the problem was reported the dealership was told by master guard that the repair was not covered, although my platinum coverage specifically said it was.
I have a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass with 55,000 miles--the car has a 3.1 liter v6 with a blown intake gasket-- it cost me $550 to have this fixed. Per 3 mechanics --"all"l 3.1 intake gaskets go out at around 50,00 miles I feel the GM should pay for defects that effects all 3.1s I've had 40+ cars in my life and never ever had an intake manifold go out on any of them---------to me that's a mfg defect!!!
My 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass has had several heating/cooling problems as well as brake problems. My car consistently needs brakes sooner than most cars should and the car has engine problems and heating and cooling problems that I have spent over $2000.00 to fix. I think the manufacturer is not reporting defects with this car. The car has mechanical problems that a high mileage car should have.
My coolent is leaking. I have had my head gasket replaced twice and it I still have leak. I was told by the GM service department to expect to replace my head gaskit every 20-40,000 miles. There is a defect. Also my ac keeps shutting off. My power window are getting stuck when the windows are down. There has never been a accident in this car. I am the first and only owner.
1998 olds Cutlass lower intake manifold went bad. O-rings went bad on fuel injectors and fuel pressure regulator. 40,000 miles. Manifold gasket problem is fairly common on the Chevy lumina and malibu. The mechanics at dealer told me and parts mgr. Said to keep my receipts in case of recall. $888. For manifold gasket replacement.
Intake gasket keeps breaking every 40,000 miles. I have had it replaced twice (once at 40,000 and the second time at 80,000 miles) and have been advised by the dealership that I will need it replaced again at another 40,000 miles. They informed me that it is a defect with Oldsmobile.
Engine assembled incorrectly or assembled using defective materials. Gasket failure on the intake manifold allows water to mix with oil and/or fuel, if left uncorrected this will destroy the engine. Symptoms seen before the car was driven 40,000 miles, while the car was 4 years old.
Engine complaints in other Cutlass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 21% of the model year's 155 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.