1998 Oldsmobile 88

Routine

Owners filed 164 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Oldsmobile 88 years to avoid. Which Oldsmobile 88 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
72,000 milesMedian miles at failure

62 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 1998 Oldsmobile 88 problems

76 of the 164 complaints (46%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · engine14
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System · engine14
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine13
080
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine13
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine12
002
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery · fuel system11
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes9
400
Engine6
020
Unknown or Other5
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission5
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery04V090000
Filed Feb 24, 2004910,873 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Risk. THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 1, 2018KY

IGNITION IS MESSED UP THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THERE IS A RECALL BUT NEVER SHOW ME PAPERS AND I WAS WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ONE

Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2016120,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE APPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED OIL ON THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 201684,000 milesNC

ENGINE USING COOLANT BUT NO EVIDENT LEAK. AFTER A WEEK OF ADDING A LITTLE COOLANT TO RESERVOIR ENGINE RAN HOT AND HYDRO-LOCKED DUE TO CYLINDERS FLOODED WITH COOLANT. DISCOVERED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD HOLE IN IT WHERE THE EGR TUBE ENTERED PLASTIC MANIFOLD ALLOWING COOLANT TO FLOOD INTAKE. THIS ENGINE HAD 84K MILES. ALSO DISCOVERED INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED AT 45K MILES BY DEALER. DEFINITELY AN ENGINEERING DEFECT.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 2, 201636,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE RESERVOIR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE EXHAUST PIPE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RELEASED LARGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

EngineFire
Filed Sep 17, 2015ND

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE SHORTLY AFTER SHUTDOWN. INCIDENT 2015-00005013

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 16, 201485,400 milesCT

BRAKES FAILED UPON EXITING ON RAMP FROM RTE. 95..DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, BUT WENT RIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD..NO BRAKES...DOWNSHIFT/ PARKING BRAKE INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE..JUST LUCKY NO CAR COLLISION OCCURRED ...WAS FRIGHTENING !...I THINK GM VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE SO BADLY FAULTY..I'M JUST LUCKY I WASN'T HURT OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT ! *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 27, 2014300,000 milesMS

TRAVELING SOUTH ON HWY 67 IN MISSISSIPPI. CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65. VEHICLE SPEED SUDDENLY STARTED TO INCREASE. APPLIED BRAKES LIGHTLY TO TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL. NO EFFECT. TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL ON STEERING COLUMN. NO EFFECT. REPEATEDLY TRIED BRAKES AND OFF SWITCH TO NO AVAIL. FINALLY TURNED OFF IGNITION AND COASTED FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. RESTARTED ENGINE AND COULD RESUME SPEED NORMALLY WITH ACCELERATOR. DID NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL HEADED BACK NORTH ON 67 LATER IN THE DAY. SET CRUISE CONTROL TO 65 AGAIN AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES VEHICLE SPEED BEGAN TO INCREASE. I TRIED BRAKES AND OFF SWITCH AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. TURNED VEHICLE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED ENGINE. DID NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN. AFTER ARRIVING HOME DISCONNECT BATTERY OVERNIGHT. APPARENTLY CORRECTED WHATEVER "GLITCH" HAD OCCURRED SINCE I HAVE USED CRUISE CONTROL SINCE WITH NO PROBLEMS. *TR

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 13, 2013124,000 milesKS

WAS DRIVING DOWN A TOLL ROAD, DEAR JUMPED IN FRONT OF CAR HIT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT, CAR HIT MEDIAN, FLIPPED, AND ROLLED 3 TIMES. CAR IS TOTALED. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 3, 201345,191 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ENGINE PLEMUN, WHICH WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED FLUID TO PENETRATE THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,191 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. ..UPDATED 10/30/13 *BF UPDATED 10/31/2013 *JS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 27, 2013190 milesTN

I JUST BOUGHT THIS USED CAR ON JAN 1, 2013. I NOTICED A SMELL FROM THE CAR BUT WASN'T SURE WHAT IS WAS AND BOUGHT THE CAR ANYWAYS. WELL A COUPLE WEEKS LATER MY BOYFRIEND WAS CHECKING MY FLUIDS ON THE CAR AND NOTICED A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD, SO WE WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND BOUGHT A FUEL LINE THAT COST AROUND $30, HE PUT IT ON, STILL LEAKING, WELL WE FIGURED SINCE THE FUEL LINE THAT WE BOUGHT WASN'T PRECRIMPED IT WASN'T GOING TO WORK, SO WE WENT TO THE JUNK YARD AND GOT THE EXACT SAME PART OFF ANOTHER 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88, FIGURED SINCE IT WAS PRECRIMPED IT WOULD WORK, NOT THE CASE, FUEL STILL LEAKING UNDER THE HOOD, SO WE WENT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN NASHVILLE AND BOUGHT THE VERY LAST FUEL LINE IN THE STATE AROUND $120, WHICH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS ONE AND THE OTHER TWO IS THAT IT IS 6 FT. LONG, SO WE PUT THE NEW 6FT FUEL LINE ON, WELL IT STOPPED LEAKING UNDER THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED 1 WEEK LATER THAT MY VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL UNDER THE CAR BY THE BACK PASSENGER WHEEL, SO WE PUT A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR ON THE VEHICLE FIGURING THAT WOULD CONTROL THE FUEL, BECAUSE WE HEARD THAT IF THAT GOES OUT IT WILL CAUSE FUEL TO LEAK FROM WEAK SPOTS, WELL ALMOST 4 MO. LATER MY VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING GAS FROM UNDER THE CAR BY THE PASSENGER BACK WHEEL.THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I FOUND A RECALL ON THIS AND WOULD LIKE MY ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 6, 201293,000 milesPA

YESTERDAY OUR CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING. WE ADDED A BOTTLE OF COOLANT YESTERDAY AND ANOTHER TWO GALLONS TODAY ALONG WITH A BOTTLE OF STOP LEAK AND HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US IT SEEMS LIKE THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED COMPLETELY AND HE IS NOT EQUIPPED TO FIX IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Apr 20, 201244,000 milesTX

ENGINE HYDRO LOCKED WHEN A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ALLOWED COOLANT TO BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE CYLINDERS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. FORTUNATELY, NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO WHAT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW BY GM. WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, AT A COST OF $5,400.00. WE HEARD THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT PEOPLE WERE JUST AFFORDED A SHORT TIME TO ACT ON IT, AND WE WERE NOT EVEN NOTIFIED. IS THERE ANOTHER SUIT THAT WE CAN BE A PART OF? WE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE WITH JUST 44,000 MILES ON IT. *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Apr 17, 2009UT

MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE LATEST GM RECALL IN CARS WITH THE 3.8 L MOTOR IN WHICH OIL LEAKS OUT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE NUMBER GIVEN BUT IT SHOWED MY 1998 OLDS 88 IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME MOTOR AND PROBLEM IN THE RECALL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 28, 2007114,284 milesTN

GRADUALLY YOU WILL SEE A DEPLETION OF THE ANTI-FREEZE FROM THE HOLDING RESERVOIR. THIS IS COULD BE A SIGN THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS BEGINNING TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE (JUST A LITTLE) INTO THE ENGINE. SOONER OR LATER WHEN THE EROSION IS LARGE ENOUGH THEN A PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE WILL COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PULL OVER AND CALL THE TOW TRUCK. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE ON MY 1998 OLDS 88 DUE TO DEGRADING OF THE INTERIOR WALL WHERE THE ANTI-FREEZE FLOWS BACK INTO THE ENGINE. BOTH TIMES THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR (INCLUDING PLUGS, WIRES, NEW MANIFOLD, LABOR) WAS AROUND $1,200. ON THE LAST MANIFOLD GM HAD ESTABLISHED ADDING A PIECE OF METAL WHERE THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS ERODING THE "SPACE AGE PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD. BASED ON THIS, GM KNOWS THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT THEY WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF IT AND OR PAY FOR IT. *TR

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Sep 2, 200764,469 milesNY

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT JAMMED AND IS UNUSABLE. GM WEBSITE LIMITS CONTACT TO EXISTING BRANDS. THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR OLDSMOBILE OWNERS, AND NO DEALERSHIPS TO CONTACT. *TR

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Aug 27, 2007190,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 LS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE THE PLASTIC NUT THAT SECURED THE SPARE TIRE WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE NUT WAS BROKEN WITH A HAMMER SO THAT THE TIRE COULD BE CHANGED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BECAUSE HE NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. UPDATED 09/12/07 *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling2 injured
Filed May 1, 2007NV

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING I'LL HIT BRAKES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BRAKES GRIND LOUDLY AND ENGINE STALLS. ALSO THE ENGINE WILL STALL AT ANY CRUISING SPEED OVER 40 MPH. CAUSING FULL POWER LOSS INCLUDING BRAKES MY DAUGHTER AND I HAVE RECEIVED INJURIES FROM THIS IN THE PAST. NEED HELP ASAP *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Apr 4, 2007113,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE DELTA EIGHTY EIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND SHUT DOWN AT STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED GASOLINE IN THE FUEL LINE. THIS SAME FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ONCE BEFORE ,AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AGAIN AND HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN RECALL # 04V09000. THE CONTACTWAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 113,000.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 22, 200779,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 LS. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, THE STEERING DIDN'T LOCK AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,435. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR 2 DIANOSTICS CHECKS NO FAILURES FOUND. ENGINE STILL CONTINUES TO STALL. UPDATE *4/23/07TR

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed May 24, 200563,300 milesFL

DT: THE METAL BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR RIPPED IN HALF, THEY WERE 4 INCHES OFF THE FLOORBOARD, RIGHT UNDER THE SEAT. THE SEAT CONTROLS WERE DAMAGED FROM THE SEAT. CONSULTED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO HAD NO IDEA WHY THE SEAT BROKE OR WHTAT WAS THE STRESS ON THE SEAT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE SEAT CAME UP AND FELL INTO THE BACK FLOORBOARD. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS POINT FOR REPAIRS.*AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Apr 5, 2005FL

1998 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY EIGHTY HAS PROBLEM WHERE THERE IS LEAKAGE OF BATTERY FLUID FROM THE POSITIVE POLE OF THE BATTERY. *MR THE POSITIVE POLE HAD COME OUT OF THE BATTERY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THREE BATTERY'S HAD BEEN REPLACED, THE FIRST WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. (AC DELCO BATTERY) *SC *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Mar 29, 200593,769 milesFL

1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 RECALL CONCERNING DEFECT ON THE 3.8 V6 ENGINE.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE SAME RECALL REPAIRED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER SOME OF HIS MONEY, BUT THE SECOND TIME THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER. RECALL#04V090000 *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 28, 200591,300 milesNE

CONSUMER SMELLED ANTI FREEZE FUMES OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, LEAKING ON THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE EGR PIPING DEGRADED AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Mar 24, 200565,000 milesWI

VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE FUEL REGULATOR REPAIRED ON TWO VEHICLES, SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. A RECALL WAS RECEIVED BY THE MANUFACTURE INVOLVING ONLY ONE OF THE VEHICLES, AND REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR THE ONE VEHICLE THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE FUEL REGULATOR RECALL. THE CONSUMER'S SECOND VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FUEL REGULATOR NHTSA RECALL 04V09000. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Feb 23, 2005130,000 milesMI

MY OLDSMOBILE 88 WAS LOOSING ANTI-FREEZE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, SO I TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL REPAIR AND HAD THE DEALER CHECK THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THEY SAID MY INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS DONE TO THE CAR. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED AT 60000 MILES.APPARENTLY THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD IS NOT ABLE TO HANDLE THE HEAT. MY CAR HAS NEVER OVERHEATED AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I HAVE 133,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS MANIFOLD TWICE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Feb 22, 200563,381 milesNY

LTR TO GM REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR ON RECALL DEFECT OF INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 1998 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY-EIGHT. *BF THE VEHICLE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE IT BACKFIRED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 2005KS

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT A LIQUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL DID NOT GO TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKING POWER WAS LESS THAN NORMAL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET AND FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ER *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Feb 16, 2005NM

THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED WHICH LED TO FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. *NM RECALL# 04V090000. *SC THE CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD ALLOWED COOLANT TO ENTER THE UPPER INTAKE CAUSING ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. *TC *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Feb 3, 200574,386 milesNY

I WENT TO START MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. I TURNED THE KEY OFF, AND SMELLED GAS AND ANTIFREEZE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE MOTOR, ABOVE THE HEADS AND BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD RUPTURED, SPILLING FUEL AND ANTIFREEZE OUT OF THE MOTOR. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jan 26, 2005AR

WHILE DRIVING,\ THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THEN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. NOTICED THAT COOLANT LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE ,AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Dec 3, 2004MD

BRAKE FAILURE, REPLACEMENT OF ALL LINES. BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED. *BF *TC

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Nov 26, 200457,000 milesOH

REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WILL NOT BUCKLE. ALSO, VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS. MANUFACTURER URGED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 6, 200461,318 milesWI

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED TO REPAIR VEHICLE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Sep 28, 2004102,990 milesMN

THE VEHICLE'S MANIFOLD RUPTURED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE PART REPLACED WAS NOT THE PART COVERED BY THE RECALL. *NM

Fuel System, Other
Filed Sep 22, 2004MS

CONSUMER INDICATED RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS FAILED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER THEY WERE NOT NO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 15, 2004MD

WHILE DRIVING ON A NATIONAL HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. ALSO WATER WAS IN THE CYLINDERS, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOCK AND THE STARTER TO FAIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Aug 30, 200499,520 milesPA

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL REGULATOR DIAPHRAM.*MR THE VEHICLE FUEL REGULATOR DIAPHRAM FAILED PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER'S REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Aug 25, 2004MS

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP INDICATED NOTHING WE COULD DO. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Aug 25, 2004WI

AFTER THE VEHICLE DELTA 88 WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE ONGOING PROBLEMS. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND THAT THEY REPLACED THE COMPONENT INDICATED IN THE RECALL LETTER. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Aug 20, 200458,416 milesTX

THE MANIFOLD ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE ONE YEAR AGO AND NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, WHICH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED SOMEHOW AFFECTED THE MANIFOLD. GM STATED THE DEFECT DID NOT AFFECT HIS VEHICLE. *JB AFTER THE ENGINE WAS WARMED AND STARTED, IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF TRIES AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE WHEN STARTING. THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE COOLANT. *SC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 15, 200444,000 milesCA

STARTING EARLY 2002 WITH ONLY 45000 MILES ON THE 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 THE WARNING LIGHT ADVISING ABS WAS NOT OPERATING CAME ON INTERMITTANTLY. TOOK TO CUESTA CADILLAC OLDSMOBILE DEALER IN SAN LUIS OBISPO CALIF AND WAS ADVISED THAT REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. WE DID THAT BUT INTERMITTANT DASH ERROR LIGHT WARNINGS CONTINUED. IN 2003 THE DEALER SAID TO CONTACT GM AND REQUEST REPAIR BUT GM REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. ABS SYSTEM STILL INOPERATIVE INTERMITTANTLY AND DEALER SAYS THEY WILL REPLACE ABS PUMP FOR $2000 BUT WILL NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL BE FIXED. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 2, 200440,000 milesPA

WHILE ENTERING MY GARAGE AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES WHEN COMING TO A RED LIGHT OR STOPPED VEHICLES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. I REMEMBER THE AUDI THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I REALLY THOUGHT I'D END UP IN MY LIVING ROOM. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL ON ALL OCCASIONS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T DROPPING DOWN TO IT'S LOW RANGE. HELP. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jul 14, 200461,618 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 12, 200479,000 milesMI

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER HAVING A DIANOSTIC TEST DONE REPAIRS WERES DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 17, 200449,890 milesOK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed May 26, 2004NC

I PURCHASED A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 IN MARCH OF 2003, I PUT NEW WIRING ON THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY IN DECEMBER AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BECAUSE THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AGAIN AND THE CAR WAS USING ALL THE WATER ABOUT EVERY 10 MILES, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. AFTER LEAVING THE REPAIR SHOP, I STOPPED BY A STORE AND WAS INSIDE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START RIGHT AWAY, I HAD TO TRY STARTING NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD START. ON MY WAY BACK HOME THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 40 MPH AND WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER, EVEN WITH THE GAS TO THE FLOOR; IT WOULD ONLY GET SLOWER. AFTER GETTING BACK HOME, THE CAR WOULDN'T CRANK BACK UP AT ALL; IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK HOME THAT SAME DAY AND CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN FEBRUARY 2004. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 11, 200489,114 milesAR

IN OCTOBER OF 2003, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY OLDSMOBILE 88LS, 3.8 SERIES TWO ENGINE, CAME ON. THE CAR HAD A LOSS OF POWER AND STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. BEFORE I GOT THE CAR STOPPED THE ENGINE QUIT. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE WATER RUNNING OUT OF THE GASKETS. I CHECKED THE RADIATOR TO FIND NO WATER AND ALSO NOTICED THE OVERFLOW TANK HAD NONE. I PULLED THE DIPSTICK TO FIND ALL THE REMAINING WATER TO BE IN THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED UNDER AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO THE DEALER OF WHICH IT WAS PUCHASED TO FIND THAT THE UPPER INTAKE HAD EITHER CRACKED OR BURST. THE DEALER REFERED TO THE DAMAGED PART AS A PLENTIUM. THIS OCCURED AT 89,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DAMAGED PART AND PUT THE ENGINE BACK TOGETHER. THE DEALER ADVISED ME TO KEEP A WATCH ON THE CAR TO SEE IF ANY CHANGES DEVELOP. AT THE FIRST THREE THOUSAND MILE OIL CHANGE THE VEHICLE HAD LOST OIL AND I ALSO ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO BACK TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE OIL CHANGE FOR LOSS OF GAS MILEAGE AND A FEW OTHER CONCERNS. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER FOR THE OIL CHANGE THEY PRESSURE TESTED THE ENGINE AND ASKED THAT I LEAVE THE VEHICLE FOR THEM TO CHECK OUT A DETECTED PROBLEM DURING THE PRESSURE TEST. THE REPAIRS DONE DURING THIS TIME INVOLVED THE GASKETS AGAIN, AND ALSO THE HEADS WHERE WARPED AND THEY REPAIRED THEM. AT 106,000 MILES THE DEALER REQUESTED THAT I REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE DEALER TESTED THE ENGINE AGAIN TO DETERMINE AN INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK. NOW THE CAR HAS A LOSS OF WATER AND A

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 25, 200477,125 milesAL

CAR OVERHEATED WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE SIGNS OF THIS BUT THE RED AREA OF THE GAUGE THEN THE CHECK ENG LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD, CHECKED IT GOT IT COOLED DOWN, THEN PROCEEDED TO THE VERY NEXT RD TO GAS STATION FOR BETTER VIEW OF WHAT WAS GOING ON. GOT TO IT VERY QUICKLY AND THE TEMP WAS BACK UP. STOPPED LET IT COOL AND ADDED WATER TO THE NOW EMPTY RESOVAIR THAT WAS FULL WHEN WE STARTED THE TRIP. AND NO SIGNS OF LEAKAGE AND NO BOILING OVER, LET IT COOL. ADDED WATER. THEN TRIED TO CRANK IT UP, IT WOULD NOT. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER, THOUGHT ENG HAD LOCKED UP. WAS TOLD THEIR WAS A FEATURE TO THIS CAR THAT SHUTS DOWN THE ENG WHEN A LEAK LIKE THIS OCCURS. WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE TAKEN BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THE ENG WAS GONE......AND IT WAS NOT. BUT IT SOMEHOW DAMAGED THE STARTER WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE CAR BEFORE WE LEFT ON THIS TRIP, HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND EVERYTHING. BUT SOMETHING WENT WRONG WHEN THE LEAK, AND RUNNING HOT OCCURED. NOT SURE HOW IT MESSED UP THE STARTER. BUT ALSO KNOW SINCE IT SHUTS THE ENG DOWN, LOCKS IT UP, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO GET A NEW ENG CAUSE THEIR PERSON DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS FEATURE AS WELL. *AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 20, 2004VA

CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION WHEN SHE TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND A SMALL FIRE UNDER HOOD MELTED SOME PARTS. *PH SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL MAINTENANCE REGULARLY AT THE DEALER ONLY. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE CAUSE. *SC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 27, 200479,000 milesTX

1998 OLDS LSS WITH 79,000 MILES. ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. DEALER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THAT MOST OF THE COOLANT HAD ENTERED THE ENGINE THROUGH A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. STALL CONDITION WAS DUE TO COLLANT IN THE CYLINDERS. DEALER CITED THE PROBLEM AS STRESS CRACKING. INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. A SECOND, INTERMITTANT PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING. IT RESTARTS FINE. THIS HAPPENS APPROXIMATELY 1-2 TIMES PER WEEK AND STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. THERE ARE NO DIAGNOSTICS CODES SET AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME FOR CERTAIN WHAT CAUSES THIS. I DID CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER, BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 164, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
1999772110Routine
1998 — this page1641130Routine
19971010140Routine
199692290Routine
1995117152Fatalities reported
199463100Routine
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: Feb 24, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.