1999 Oldsmobile 88

Routine

Owners filed 77 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

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

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
67,280 milesMedian miles at failure

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

Most common 1999 Oldsmobile 88 problems

29 of the 77 complaints (38%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine9
020
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine8
040
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery · fuel system6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · engine6
000
Electrical System4
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
000
Structure · body and frame2
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · fuel system2
000

2 safety recalls

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission99V089000
Filed Apr 26, 199999,333 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETAINING CLIP, WHICH SECURES THE MANUAL VALVE TO THE LINKAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETENT LEVER, CAN BECOME LOOSE UNDER A COMBINATION OF POSSIBLE DRIVER SHIFTING MANEUVERS AND ALLOW THE LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE MANUAL VALVE.

Risk. IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure
Filed May 16, 2022118,300 milesMN

The contact owns a 1999 Oldsmobile 88. The contact stated that while reversing out of a driveway, the front end of the vehicle lowered without warning. Due to the failure, the contact lost power steering assist as the steering wheel would spin with no control. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired for the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,300.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 3, 2019MI

BODY IS BROKEN WHERE THE FRONT SUB-FRAME BOLTS TO. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS PERMANENT BODY DAMAGE TO THE BODY FRAME. THEY THEN SOLD THE VEHICLE UNDISCLOSED THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE IS TOO DAMAGED TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD SAFELY.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 15, 201760,000 milesOH

I CONTACTED GM BC THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR SAYS THE FUEL RAIL ALSO NEEDS REPLACED IF IT IS A DELPHI FUEL RAIL. THE REGULATOR ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN CHANGED BUT STILL HAS THE SAME DELPHI FUEL RAIL. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS A GAS LEAK. WHEN I SEARCH THE VIN IT DOESN'T SHOW ANY RECALLS CURRENTLY BUT BASED ON THE TSB. THE RAIL SHOULD'VE BEEN REPLACED WITH A BOSCH. I AM A SERVICE TECH AT A PRIVATE SHOP. IF I WEREN'T A TECH I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN THE RAIL WASN'T REPLACED AND I MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED THE LEAK UNTIL I BURNT TO DEATH IN A FIREY CRASH. GM HAS NO ANSWER EXCEPT TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME A RIDICULOUS DIAGNOSTICS FEE WHICH I REFUSE TO PAY, ESPECIALLY FOR A RECALL REPAIR THAT WASN'T DONE PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 18, 2016145,000 milesMN

1999 OLDSMOBILE 4.8L ENGINE WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS BOTH AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS OF 65 MPH OR AT SLOWER SPEEDS OF 35 OR 35 MPH. ALL OF THE POWER ASSISTED FEATURES SUCH AS POWER BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO STOP WORKING WHEN THE ENGINE STOPS. THE ENGINE SHUTTING DEFECT DOES NOT OCCUR DAILY AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. THE ONLY CHECK ENGINE CODE PRESENT WAS A "EGR VALVE" CODE. THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $344.00. THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF UNEXPECTEDLY DEFECT HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE THAT APPEARS TO REPLICATE THE GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL THAT THIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN. FROM "GOOGLING" THIS DEFECT IT APPEARS TO AFFECT A LARGE NUMBER OF SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH 3.8L GM ENGINES AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.

Power Train
Filed Sep 19, 2015159,000 milesAL

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN DECEMBER, 2012 AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CARFAX REPORT AT THAT TIME. TODAY, THERE IS A RECALL # 1999011 DATED 3/13/1999 FOR POWER TRAIN (TRANSMISSION 4T65E MANUAL VALVE LINK REPLACEMENT) NHTSA 99V089000. THIS OWNER NOR THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE ANY KIND OF NOTICE FOR THIS RECALL. WAS THE SERVICE PERFORMED? WHAT HAPPENED? THANK YOU & HAVE A GREAT DAY !!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 6, 2014MN

VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY "KILL" AND IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY - ALSO POSSIBLY SOMETHING IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAILING - MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH REFERENCE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Jun 19, 2014NC

TRIED TO START CAR TO GO TO WORK IN THE MORNING OF 6-16-14. HEARD LOUD BOOM AND SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. EXTINGUISHED FLAMES AND FOUND THE INTAKE MAINIFOLD HAD LITTERALLY BLOWN APART. THERE WAS A RECALL THAT SHOULD HAVE DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Aug 27, 201272,602 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A HOLE THAT HAD MELTED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,602 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,102.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 21, 2012TX

THE FIRST TIME I PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP IS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. THE SECOND TIME WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START UNTIL AFTER 15 MIN OR SO. I HAVE PAID $650 FOR MY IGNITION SWITCH TO BE CHANGED $280 FOR THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER WITH KEY CHANGED, AND $1150 FOR NEW HEAD GASKET AFTER CAR OVER HEATED CAUSE THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD GASKET MELTED AND CRACKED CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THIS WITHIN A YEAR AND THE CRAZY THING IS THE CAR ISN'T STARTING AGAIN. I REALLY THINK YOU ALL SHOULD CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS CAR BECAUSE IM WASTING MONEY ON A CAR I NEVER GET TO DRIVE EVEN AFTER I PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIRS. *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 7, 2010171,000 milesVA

1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED DUE TO HOT PIPE ROUTED NEAR IT (PER THE MECHANIC). THIS ALLOWED COOLANT AND OIL INTO THE ENGINE. ENGINE IS MAKING BAD CLANKING NOISE. COST TO REPLACE INTAKE, REPLACE PLUGS, NEW SENSOR WAS $1096. IT APPEARS FROM READING ARFC WEBSITE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Feb 15, 201059,930 milesMD

MY OLDSMOBILE 88 YEAR 1999 HAD ENGINE FAILURE IN 2005 WITH ONLY 59,930 MILES. THE UPPER PLEMUM DESINTEGRATED ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE CYLINDERS, LOCKING UP ENGINE. NO WARNING EXCEPT RAPID RAISE IN ENGINE TEMPERATURE ONLY ABOUT A MINUTE TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 23, 200969,000 milesMD

ON OCCASIONAL HARD ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAS CAUSED SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC. IT CAN ALSO SHUDDER AT PART THROTTLE BUT THAT'S MORE OF AN ANNOYANCE THAN SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2009130,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME VERY LOOSE AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL. HE MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHEARED BOLT BETWEEN THE RACK AND PINION AND THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $750. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 12, 200892,320 milesIL

I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL LEAK AND WHILE THERE THE MECHANIC ALSO CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVEL. IT WAS LOW. HE PRESSURE TESTED THE SYSTEM AND FOUND THE COOLANT CAP TO BE NOT SEALING PROPERLY. I PAID FOR MY REPAIRS AND LEFT. THE NEXT MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING. THEY CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVEL AGAIN AND IT WAS DRY. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD MELTED AND COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND WAS CONSUMED BY THE ENGINE. NOW I NEED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD, GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, AND AN OIL CHANGE TO THE TUNE OF $800+. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. WHY DOES GM NOT DO ANYTHING. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS PLASTIC. PLASTIC DOES NOT BELONG IN AN ENGINE. I HOPE YOU MAKE THEM RECALL THIS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 25, 2007SC

AFTER FUEL REGULATOR REPLACED FOR RECALL MY OLDS DELTA 88 STALLS OUT, FAILING TO RESTART. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED FOUR TIMES. HAVE HAD FUEL PUMP AND FILTER CHANGED TWICE - DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING, UPON INITIAL STARTING AND AT STOPS. THIS PROBLEM IS "PERIODIC" AND MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. ENGINE RUNS VERY ROUGH, AND THEN FAILS TO START. HAD FUEL TANK DRAINED 3 TIMES NO SOLUTION YET! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 18, 2007166,840 milesIN

WAS DRIVING MY 99 OLDS 88 UP A HILL IN TN AND IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND LOSE POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME HOME AND THE ENGINE WAS EXCESSIVELY HOT. ALL OF THE RADIATOR WOULD TAKE THE FLUID BUT NOTHING WOULD LEAK OUT. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND WAITED FOR IT TO COOL DOWN BUT THEN AFTER THE 3RD TIME TRYING TO START IT, IT MADE A CLUNK NOISE AND WOULDN'T START ANY MORE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A HYDRAULIC LOCK UP. CAR SAT FOR 5 MONTHS AND FINALLY GOT THE MONEY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I WISH TO BE REIMBURSED AFTER IT IS FIXED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 12, 200637,359 milesAZ

I EXPERIENCED STALLS AND POWER SURGES. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR DUE TO RECALL. SIX MONTHS LATER CAR REACHED EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURE THEN DIED. MECHANIC REPLACED CRACKED PLENUM. GASKETS, PIPES, ASSEMBLY, SEALS AND SENSOR RESULTING IN $1234 REPAIR BILL. CONTACTED GM AND GOT FULL REIMBURSEMENT AS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES ON ENGINE. LESS THAN 250 MILES AFTER REPAIR, ENGINE PRODUCES LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN 90 MILES FROM HOME ON JULY 4TH. MECHANIC SAYS ONE OF THE PISTONS/RODS IS BAD, MORE THEN LIKELY A RESULT OF THE PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING THE EXTREMELY HELPFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE I WAS DEALING WITH FROM GM BUT I WILL NOT DROP THIS! LAST QUOTE FOR CURRENT REPAIR WAS $1100. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 16, 2006107,000 milesIL

I HAVE REPLACED THE PLENUM IN MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 TWICE NOW!!! I HAVE A 3800 MOTOR IN IT WITH 107,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR PLENUMS ALSO AND MY MOTHER HAD TO CHANGE HERS WITH 40,000 MILES ON HER CAR! THE PLENUM IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IS JUNK!!! GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,000 FIXING THIS INFERIOR PART! I OWN 3 GM PRODUCTS AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER IF GM DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS! *JB

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices
Filed Apr 7, 2005KY

RECEIVED RECALL #04V090000 CONCERNING FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPAIRED ON 3/18/2005. RECALL REPAIRS FAILED WHEN 4 DAYS LATER, ON 3/24/2005, THE MANIFOLD RUPTURED AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE OIL. HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 2, 200561,000 milesFL

I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 BOUGHT IT IN SEPTEMBER 2003 THEN IN MARCH 04 THE ENGINE BLEW DUE TO LOSS OF COOLANT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT IT LOST COOLANT. NOW A YEAR LATER, MARCH 2005, THE ENGINE LOST IT'S COOLANT AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . THE CAR NEVER WENT OVER SAFE TEMPERATURE. CALLED GM WHEN IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME. NO HELP AT ALL. I THINK THERE MUST BE APROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 22, 2004IL

ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART WAS MANUFACTURED OUT OF RECYCLED MATERIALS AND CAUSED COOLANT AND OIL TO ENTER THE CYLINDERS AND CREATED A HRDROSTATIC STATIC. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Nov 1, 2004115,347 milesSC

AUTOMOBILE RUPTURED INTAKE MANIFOLD. GM THEN ACKNOWLEDGED THROUGH A RECALL THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND GM WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE REPAIR BILL. MY OLDS DID JUST THIS AND MY DEALER SAID THAT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR COULD CAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO RUPTURE. GM REFUSES TO HELP ME. MY VIN IS [XXX]. YOU FOLK SHOULD MAKE GM TAKE CARE OF THIS.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 27, 2004IL

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY CAR WITH A 3800 SERIES 11 ENGINE RECENTLY BROKE DOWN DUE TO A CRACKED UPPER INTAKE PLENUM CAUSED BY THE EGR PIPE. THE SHOP PERFORMING THE REPAIRS SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED OFTEN. I COULD UNDERSTAND OTHER MOVING/MECHANICAL PARTS THAT ENDURE WEAR AND TEAR FAILING, BUT THIS IS A PART THAT SIMPLY BURNED OUT. I LIKE GM TO STAND BEHIND THIS PART INSTEAD OFF STICKING CONSUMERS WITH A $600.00 REPAIR BILL CAUSED BY THEIR POOR DESIGN. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Oct 21, 200462,692 milesWV

THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS RECALLED AND THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME TYPE OF REGULATOR WHICH LEAD TO A LEAK AND ALLOWED THE FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH LEAD TO THE ANTIFREEZE GOING INTO THE OIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BACK FIRE AND EVENTUALLY RUINING THE ENGINE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Oct 5, 2004TX

EXPERIENCED SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD. *BF THERE WAS A BACKFIRE THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH PRODUCED A LOUD BANG AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO OTHER ITEMS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED WAS THE SAME AS THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED. *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Sep 30, 200464,000 milesFL

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Sep 28, 2004IN

THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. *NM THE VEHICLE IDLED FAST AND DIED. THE MECHANIC FOUND A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR CRACKED AND LEAKING. THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SC *JB

Fuel System, Other
Filed Sep 28, 2004GA

THE VEHICLE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *NM RECALL NUMBER (903V473000). ONE DAY PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN A DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. AFTER THE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED THE ENGINE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED AT HER OWN EXPENSE. *TC

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 13, 200491,494 milesMS

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CRANK THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE BACK FIRED AND SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. *NM THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IT BACK FIRED AND BLEW UP THE MANIFOLD, HOWEVER ON JULY 9, 2004 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WHICH DESCRIBE IN DETAIL IN WHICH THE CONSUMER STATED SOUNDED JUST LIKE THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE PART ON HIS VEHICLE THAT WAS REPLACED WAS NOT THE PART THAT WAS RECALLED. *JB

Structure
Filed Sep 11, 2004VA

I NOTICED A FEW CHIPS IN THE PAINT NEAR THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR AND HOOD ABOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE, LAST YEAR, ABOUT DEC 2003. NOW THE LITTLE CHIPS OF PAINT ARE COMING OFF WITH A LITTLE RAIN/WATER/DRIVING. THE RIMER IS STILL THERE, JUST THE TOP COAT IS COMING OFF. SINCE THE CAR IS SIX YEARS OLD IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Aug 30, 200467,280 milesMD

REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION FOR ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE MAIN BEARING SEIZING. RECALL# 04V090000. THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE SEAL UNDER THE PLASTIC PLENUM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF LEAVING THE SERVICE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THE WARPED PLASTIC PLENUM WOULD NOT SEAL AGAINST THE MANIFOLD. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED OTHER REPAIRS SUCH AS A REPLACEMENT MOTOR FOR THE PASSENGER'S WINDOW, POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH WAS LEAKING, A REAR WHEEL CYLINDER AND A NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 29, 2004118,295 milesKS

1) ROUGH IDLE WHEN STOPPING CAR. UPON RESTART,STRANGE NOISE FROM ENGINE. WOULD NOT RESTART. 2) SMOKE FROM STARTER. ENGINE LOCKED UP. WATER LOSS FROM RADIATOR. CRACKED MANIFOLD. 3) REPLACED UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD & GASKET. CLEANED LOWER INTAKE. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS & WIRES. CHANGED OIL, OIL FILTER, & REPLACED STARTER. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 20, 2004IN

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88. *MR THERE WAS A STRONG GAS SMELL AND FUEL WAS FOUND LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THE TANK WAS REMOVED AND THE FUEL SENDER AND LINES WERE FOUND RUSTED AND LEAKING. *SC *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Aug 16, 200452,485 milesFL

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL 04V090000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT THE STALLING STILL OCCURRED. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY THAT THE CRACK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Jul 21, 2004GA

AFTER THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL 04V090000 THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 28, 200461,000 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM ON A 2 WAY HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE AT 5 MPH, AND USE THE YELLOW MEDIUM LINE TO GUIDE HIM UNTIL HE GOT TO A TURN OFF. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS BAD, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 10, 200440,000 milesNY

THE VEHICLE'S REAR POWER WINDOW WIRE HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Feb 18, 200441,000 milesMI

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH OUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, WHILE PULLING IN TO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD, AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EXPLODED. DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT STALLING AND SURGING STILL OCCUR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 4, 2004FL

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS ON PLASTIC UPHOLSTERY ON ARM REST, REPLACEMENT OF WATER PUMP AND STARTER, PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND BLOWING UP OF THE ENGINE GASKET. *LA *MR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 20, 2004WI

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED ENGINE WAS LOCKED. TECHNICIAN REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, MANIFOLD, AND STARTER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200465,000 milesFL

LOW COOLENT LIGHT CAME ON. WE ADDED 1 QT. OF COOLENT, THE LIFTERS MADE NOISE. WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED, THERE WAS COOLENT IN THE OIL. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW THE ENGINE WAS RUINED

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 8, 2003LA

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND SENT COOLANT THROUGH THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 WITH 3.8 V6. REPAIR COST OVER $1,800. *LA

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Sep 2, 200344,089 milesIL

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE MANIFOLD CRACKED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION AT THE DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAKED CAUSING THE INJECTOR TO BLOW OFF THE INJECTOR. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO CRACK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH GASKETS ALONG WITH THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND FUEL RAILS. *PH *NLM *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 17, 200341,981 milesNJ

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 17, 200355 milesNC

AIR CONDITIONING FAILED IN 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 IN 2 PLACES AT THE SAME TIME. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NEVER SEEN THESE TYPES OF FAILURES IN A CAR ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. EXPENSE TO HAVE REPAIRED WAS $816.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 12, 200393,000 milesNJ

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND SENT COOLANT THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN A VERY COSTLY AUTO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 WITH 3.8 V6. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 11, 2003NY

1999 OLDS, DELTA 88 - STARTS HARD, ENGINE DIES [HOT AND COLD] IN MOTION [LOWER SPEEDS] AND STOPPING AT LIGHTS. FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND STRAINER REPLACED. FUEL PRESSURE NOW IN SPEC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ON AND NO CODES PRESENT. PROBLEM CONTINUES [LAST 20 DAYS]. *NLM

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Aug 7, 2003MO

THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COME FROM MOTOR/ AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD. *MR *SCC FIRE STARTED WHILE AT THE GAS STATION. *TS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Apr 3, 2003IL

WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED A BILLOW OF SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. *AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Mar 27, 2003NC

THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER TWICE, DUE TO LEAKING. *JB *SCC

Complaints 1-50 of 77, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
1999 — this page772110Routine
19981641130Routine
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.