FaultScore report
Owners have filed 109 complaints about the 1992 Oldsmobile 88 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007. The largest single group is the brakes.
109
Complaints
15
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
12
Injuries reported
2 complaints report a death.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 3 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
INADVERTENT SHIFT OF TRANS
TURBOCHARGER MALFUNCTION
INADVERTENT SHIFT OF TRANSMISSION
FUEL LINE FAILURE
FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FAILS
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VICTIM WAS DEPRIVED OF OXYGEN BEFORE RESCUERS ARRIVED, SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE AND DIED FROM HIS INJURY 11/25/98. OUR INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND 15 OTHERS THAT REPORTED VERY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES TO GM. DT
NHTSA complaint #769254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HAVE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE PUSHED INTO BUILDING, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8017158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHORTED OUT. IT STARTED TO GET HOT, THEN IT SMOKED AND THEN THERE WAS A SMALL SPARK AND A SMALL FLAME. IT COMPLETELY MELTED. THIS CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #756157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING UP A HILL AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, FLAMES WERE COMING FORM BENEATH. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING UP A HILL AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, FLAMES WERE COMING FORM BENEATH. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING UP A HILL AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, FLAMES WERE COMING FORM BENEATH. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT 30 MINUTES ON ONE OCCASION. SEVERAL DEALERS DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS EITHER THE FUEL PUMP, STARTER, OR ALTERNATOR. THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE CONTACT HAS THE INVOICES FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND WILL PROVIDE THE DEALER INFORMATION WHEN THE COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10192370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VICTIM WAS DEPRIVED OF OXYGEN BEFORE RESCUERS ARRIVED, SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE AND DIED FROM HIS INJURY 11/25/98. OUR INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND 15 OTHERS THAT REPORTED VERY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES TO GM. DT
NHTSA complaint #769254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HAVE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE PUSHED INTO BUILDING, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8017158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHORTED OUT. IT STARTED TO GET HOT, THEN IT SMOKED AND THEN THERE WAS A SMALL SPARK AND A SMALL FLAME. IT COMPLETELY MELTED. THIS CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #756157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT RELEASE FAR ENOUGH TO FASTEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT RETRACTOR NEEDED REPLACING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #897302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VEHICLE HESITATES GOING AROUND LONG CLOVER LEAF TURNS ON ACCELERATION, FOUND PROBLEM IN FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, FUEL SENDER,AND FUEL FILTER REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #560615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MPH, TORQUE CONVERTER, SEAL AND TRANSMISSION FITLER REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #560615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP BEARING MAKING NOISE, WATER PUMP REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #560615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING UP A HILL AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, FLAMES WERE COMING FORM BENEATH. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING UP A HILL AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, FLAMES WERE COMING FORM BENEATH. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING UP A HILL AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, FLAMES WERE COMING FORM BENEATH. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN DURING HARD BRAKING AND THE BUMPER WENT BELOW THE OTHER VEHICLE AND NEVER TOOK IMPACT BUT RESULTED IN $6000. IN DAMAGE (HOOD, RADIATOR, HEADLIGHTS, FENDERS, SIDE MARKERS AND CRUMPLE ZONE), THE CONSUMER BELIEVES NO VEHICLE SHOULD BE TOTALED FOR A 15 MPH FRONT END CRASH. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
RECALL 96V01500/ TRANSMISSON OIL COOLER. BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL BUT WAS STILL EXPERIENCNG SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER AND WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, MORE SMOKE CAME OUT. BUT, THIS TIME FROM ENGINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO DO NOTHING. *AK TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE SEPARATED CAUSING FLUID TO SPRAY ALL OVER HOT ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #879666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
STRUTS AND TIE RODS REPLACED RECENTLY. ALSO, NEWER TIRES UP FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #736754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
STRUTS AND TIE RODS REPLACED RECENTLY. ALSO, NEWER TIRES UP FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #736754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
STRUTS AND TIE RODS REPLACED RECENTLY. ALSO, NEWER TIRES UP FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #736754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE DISCINEGRATED DUE TO BELT SEPERATION, TORE FENDER OFF RIGHT SIDE DAMAGED PASSENGER DOOR AND BENT RIM
NHTSA complaint #9001634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CONDITIONS WHERE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE COME ON. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC 2 TIMES, HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS BOTH TIMES. ANTILOCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #732573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE CONSUMER SPEEDOMETER IA ACTING ERRATICALLY BY JUMPING FROM ONE SPEED TO THE NEXT (E.G 45-50, 55-60). ALSO UPON STARTUP THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT MOVE FROM "5" AND THE SES LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION COOLINGLINES COULD SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES. RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #855796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE 20 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
VEHICLE PULLED OVER BY DRIVER. DRIVER LOOKED UNDER FRONT SEAT FOR CELL PHONE. CLOTHES/ BODY. CAME IN CONTACT WITH SEAT BUTTON & PUSHED TO RIGHT. POWER SEAT CAME FORWARD & PINNED DRIVER BETWEEN SEAT& FRONT DOOR FRAME. COULD NOT GET OXYGEN; SUFFICATION OCCURRED. RESCUE SQUAD CAME & PERFORMED CPR. ON LIFE SUPPORT TWO DAYS. DIED TWO DAYS LATER. DEALER CONTACTED; FULLY AWARE OF INCIDENT. MANUFACTURER NOT AWARE.
NHTSA complaint #832068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN AND CAUSE WHEELS TO DRAG. ABS SENSOR LIGHNT WOULD COME ON. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #852049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN A DEER APPEARED SUDDENLY. APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT DEER WAS HIT BY LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE ON FRONT GRILL. VEHICLE STOPPED, BUT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT UPPER PART OF CHEST & THROAT ON STEERING WHEEL DUE TO NO AIR BAG. WAS AT EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. WEARING NECK BRACE.
NHTSA complaint #853170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN A DEER APPEARED SUDDENLY. APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT DEER WAS HIT BY LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE ON FRONT GRILL. VEHICLE STOPPED, BUT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT UPPER PART OF CHEST & THROAT ON STEERING WHEEL DUE TO NO AIR BAG. WAS AT EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. WEARING NECK BRACE.
NHTSA complaint #853170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.