Interior lighting (Pontiac, Chevrolet and OLDSMOBILE and 1 more)
Vehicle recall 98V-027. NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Feb 17, 1998.
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The short answer
NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Feb 17, 1998. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 27, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, “CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Interior lighting.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 1998.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 1-800-222-1020, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300,PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 249,420 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- Pontiac Sunfireand 1996, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Berettaand 1996, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Grand AMand 1996, before the model years listed here
- Oldsmobile Achievaand 1996, before the model years listed here
- Buick Skylarkand 1996, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Cavalierand 1996, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 27, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 27, 2026.