1994 Oldsmobile 88

Routine

Owners filed 63 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip8
200
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline5
000
Structure › Frame and Members3
000
Structure › Body3
000
Air Bags3
102
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder2
000
Power Train2
000
Electrical System › Ignition2
000
Electrical System › Horn2
000
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator2
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch94V138000
Filed Aug 2, 19941,487 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THE HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT STAY ILLUMINATED RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT HEAD/PARK LAMP SWITCH BUILD DATE CODES AND REPLACE SWITCHES WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 29, 2016147,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 OLDSMOBILE 88 ROYALE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SUDDENLY REAR ENDED. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS FELL BACKWARDS AND THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE SEATS DETACHED. AS A RESULT, THE SEATS DISENGAGED FROM THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEG, KNEE, HEAD, SHOULDER, ARM, AND HAND. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, KNEES, AND RIBS. BOTH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE. *JS VIN INVALID UPDATED 7/11/18*JB *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 5, 2010182,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1994 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE CRADLE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED BY RUST CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO DISCONNECT FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE RUST ON THE BOLTS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN TO DUE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUST WAS CAUSED BY SALT BUILD UP DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 3, 200998,164 milesAL

THE HOOD ON A 1994 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 WAS LIFTED TO CHECK BATTERY AND BOTH GAS FILLED STRUTS DESIGNED TO KEEP THE HOOD UP SUDDENLY FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN THE HOOD FALLING AND TRAPPING MY RIGHT WRIST AND HAND. LACERATION WAS INFLICTED ALONG WITH RADIAL AND/OR ULNAR NERVE DAMAGE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 15, 2006110,000 milesIL

1994 OLDS 88 HAS TO BE SOLD FOR SALVAGE DUE TO THE FRAME RUSTING AND CRACKS HAVE BEEN FORMED IN THE FRAME. THE CAR HAS BEEN STORED INSIDE A GARAGE 10 OUT OF THE 12 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (2 OWNERS)*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 19, 2005IL

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2004UN

I RECEIVED A PRICE QUOTE FROM A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP OF $2500 TO REPAINT THE CAR. THE BODYSHOP MGR. TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROLEM WITH GM PAINT FROM 1985 TO 1995. I CALLED GM CANADA AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION REGARDING MY COMPLAINT. SO I AM LODGING THIS INFO WITH YOUR WEBSITE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 12, 2003SC

FINISH COAT AND CLEAR COAT BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF IN FLAKES ON RIGHT REAR DOOR AND LEAVING THE PRIMER IN TACT. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR OLDSMOBILE AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE TOO OLD TO CLAIM MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT NO DOUBT THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *LA

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Sep 9, 2003CA

REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE AND WILL NOT RETRACT. DEALER WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. *AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 27, 2003IL

THE REAR TIRE COLLAPSED ONTO THE BODY OF VEHICLE. THE BOLT BROKE IN HALF INSIDE THE BUSHINGS AND THE NUT SIDE OF THE BOLT FELL OFF ALLOWING ONLY THE REMAINING HALF OF THE BOLT TO HOLD UP THE SUSPENSION ARM.*JB *TS *JB

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Mar 12, 2001AL

BOTH ALTERNATOR AND BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACE ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS SINCE THIS DATE. THE BATTERY SEEMS TO DRAIN THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN FAILURE . *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jan 9, 2001TX

THE INTAKE IS PLASTIC AND THE EGR TUBE SREWS DIRECTLY INTO IT,THUS CAUSING THE INTAKE TO MELT AND DISTORT CAUSE YOUR COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINES CYLINDER WALLS.WHICH ANTIFREEZE HAS SUGARS IN IT THUS CAUSEING THE ENGINE TO BURN UP.HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND THEY ALL SAY THAT IT HAPPENS TO ALL THE CARS WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE.THOUGH THEY DO NOT WANT TO ADMIT IT IS A FACTORY PRODUCTION MESS UP.YOU CANT MIX A METAL EGR TUBE WITH A PLASTIC INTAKE THAT GETS IN EXCESS OF 3 OR 400 DEGREES AND NOT EXPECT IT TO MELT THE PLASTIC INTAKE.SO NOW I HAVE A PRACTICALLY BLOWN UP ENGINE DUE TO A FACTORY PRODUCTION SCREW UP AND ITS GOING TO COST "ME" THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 28, 2000FL

VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL CRANK BACK UP IMMEDIATELY, BUT THERE WERE TIMES THAT IT WILL NOT.DEALER AND MECHANIC HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DULPICATE DEFECT. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 9, 2000WV

BRAKE LINES BECAME CORRODED/ RUSTED THROUGH. ONE OF THE LINES CRACKED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. *AK

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 7, 2000PA

PAINT BEGAN TO BUBBLE AROUND EDGES AND PEELED OFF IN LARGE PORTIONS. MAJOR PEELING WAS OCCURING ON ROOF TOP/TRUNK AND HOOD. IT HAS MULTIPLE SPOTS OF PEELING. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 18, 2000FL

AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE AND TURNING THE VEHICAL OFF, VEHICAL WILL TURN OVER, BUT NOT START. "AFTER CHECKING, NO SPARK TO PLUGS" AFTER 20 MINUTES OR MORE OF TRYING TO RESTART VEHICAL, IT WILL FINALLY START. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 18, 2000NY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THAT VEHICLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 8, 2000PA

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION OF THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH MAY CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OR INOPERATIVE ABS BRAKES AT 37,000 MILES. SYSTEM CHECKED OUT BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, INDICATED PUMP DEFECTIVE. *AK *ML

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Filed May 25, 2000FL

THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED WITHOUT THE GEAR BEING IN NEUTRAL OR PARK DUE TO MASTER LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE. YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 27, 2000SC

ENGINE WILL STALL WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Jan 18, 2000OH

REAR PASSENGER'S RESTRAINT HAS JAMMED IN PLACE. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

20 of 63 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
1999772110Routine
19981641130Routine
19971010140Routine
199692290Routine
1995117152Fatalities reported
1994 — this page63100Routine
1993741100Routine
199273172Fatalities reported
199116210Routine
199024220Routine

Compare every 88 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 2, 1994. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.