Sell your 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass for cash

The 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass is a midsize car that came with a choice of 2.4L 4-cyl and 3.1L 6-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines2.4L 4-cyl, 3.1L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy17–20 city / 27–30 highway / 21–24 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,800–$3,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂370–423 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA2 configurations
Age28 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 28 years old, most of a 1998 Cutlass's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a midsize car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1998 Cutlass. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the service brakes, hydraulic, typically around 61,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SteeringDec 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V527000

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.

Risk: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wh

VisibilityMar 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V068000

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…

Risk: Reduced visibility in inclement weather could lead to a vehicle crash.

Common 1998 Cutlass problems

Owners have filed 155 complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass with NHTSA. 7 reports involved a crash. Owners reported 4 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic18
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
  • Engine and Engine Cooling10
  • Engine and Engine Cooling7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling7
  • Steering7

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic61,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling55,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling40,000 mi
  • Steering66,000 mi

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 97 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Service Brakes18
  • Hydraulic8
  • Unknown or Other7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling6
  • Suspension6
  • Seats5

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2022 · PIP4723F

    This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2020 · PIP4723D

    This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 2019 · PIC4696E

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get t

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2019 · 17NA073

    This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 6 defect investigations covering the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass.

VisibilityRQ04006 · opened Jul 2004, closed Jan 2005

Windshield wiper failure

In march 2001, gm notified NHTSA that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA number 01v068) on certain model year (my) 1997-1998 chevrolet malibu and Oldsmobile Cutlass vehicles to replace defective windshield wiper pivot housings.gm reported the wiper failure was triggered by loads placed on the wipers when operated

SteeringRQ03001 · opened Jan 2003, closed Sep 2003

Power rack and pinion steering failure

Gm conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sp

VisibilityEA00019 · opened Jul 2000, closed Mar 2001Led to recall 01V068000

Windshield wiper

On february 22, 2000, the office of defects investigation (odi) initiated pe00-009 based on seven reports of windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 1997 & 1998 chevrolet malibu & Oldsmobile Cutlass vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to ea00-019 on july 12, 2000.during the course of the investigation,

VisibilityPE00009 · opened Feb 2000, closed Jul 2000

Windshield wiper

There is no summary currently available

Air BagsEA99030 · opened Oct 1999, closed Mar 2002

Oversensitive air bag deployment

There is no summary currently available

Air BagsPE99037 · opened May 1999, closed Oct 1999

Inadvertent air bag deployments

There is no summary currently available

Selling a 1998 Cutlass: questions

How much is a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1998 Cutlass that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1998 Cutlasss that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1998 Cutlass with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1998 Cutlass?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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