Owners have filed 129 complaints
about the 1997 Oldsmobile 88 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2016.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 50
Against the median year of the Oldsmobile 88. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
22.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 20
12% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Gasoline
1632.0%
Automatic Transmission
918.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
612.0%
Windshield Wiper/Washer
510.0%
Carburetor System
48.0%
Cooling System
48.0%
Module
36.0%
Rotor
36.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
15.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
15.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
847.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
317.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
211.8%
150,000+ miles
211.8%
When owners complained
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.
Feb 1997peak 9Oct 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Oldsmobile 88
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.
EA02030Opened 22 Oct 2002Closed 9 Mar 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICL...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 90,000 milesRolling Hill Estates, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE LSS. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS STARTED. AS HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE AIR INTAKE AND DEVICE ON THE ENGINE COVER WERE DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A PRODUCT ALLEGATION REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOTIFY HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10324520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesPort Saint Lucie, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. VERY MINOR FENDER BENDER NO DAMAGE TO OTHER CAR. SMALL FIST SIZE DENT TO THE CAR IN QUESTION. NOTED FROM COP ON SEEN, SPEED WAS LESS THAN 10 MPH. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND TOTALED INSIDE OF CAR. SENT 2 PERSONS TO HOSPITAL.
NHTSA complaint #10221204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 750,132 milesPlano, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE MANIFOLD EXPLODED WHEN IGNITION TURNED TO START. FUEL RAIL BENT, FUEL REGULATOR DAMAGED, LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE AND EXPLOSIVE SOUND OCCURRED. ENGINE COVER SPLIT IN TWO.
NHTSA complaint #10051243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBaudette, MNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE BACK FIRED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE *MR *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10031527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Capital Heights, MDCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH SEVERAL TREES, AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK DURING THE ACCIDENT THE AXLE BROKE. ALSO, RADIATOR AND BATTERY BUSTED.THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8012092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thief River Falls, MNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE INSURED ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, WHICH BACK FIRED AND THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*JB(CLAIM#23-1355-542)
NHTSA complaint #6900811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 155,000 milesWdbg, VA
ENGINE
UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE( PLASTIC PART) ON HIGHWAY . ENGINE OVERHEATED FROM COOLANT LEAKING INSIDE ENGINE FOR THE 3RD TIME . FIRST LEAK COOLANT OUTSIDE ENGINE. 2ND TIME BAD OIL LEAK. 3RD TIME THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10916202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesLouisville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DIED WHILE AT STOP LIGHT. WONT RESTART, TURNS OVER BUT WONT KEEP RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10511176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesColonia, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WE WERE NOTICING LEAKS FROM THE CAR ON THE DRIVEWAY. WE KNEW FROM TOUCHING IT WAS NOT OIL. THE CAR STARTED TO HESITATE AT TIMES AND FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. EVENTUALLY IT DID STALL OUT AND CONTINUED TO DO SO, IT ALWAYS STARTED RIGHT UP THOUGH, SO WE KNEW IT WASN'T THE BATTERY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WHEN IT STALLED. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND REPAIR CODES P0300 AND P0135, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON RESULTING IN RANDOM MISFIRE AND 02 SENSOR HEATER CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. FOLLOWED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLESHOOTING FLOWCHART AND FOUND FAULTY 02 SENSOR AND COOLANT INSIDE CYLINDER#4. UPON DISASSEMBLY OF INTAKE MANIFOLD TO INSPECT SYSTEM, FOUND INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. REMOVED AND REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY, FRONT 02 SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND SPARK PLUGS WITH ALL NEW OEM PARTS. REFILLED COOLANT AND BLEED SYSTEM. RECHECKED OPERATION, CLEARED CODES. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY GM.
NHTSA complaint #10402922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesRolling Hill Estates, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE LSS. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS STARTED. AS HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE AIR INTAKE AND DEVICE ON THE ENGINE COVER WERE DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A PRODUCT ALLEGATION REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOTIFY HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10324520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,000 milesAllison Park, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA, 1997 OLDSMOBILE AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE ALL HAVE HAD BRAKE LINES FAIL DUE TO CORROSION IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE BRAKES FAILED DURING A PANIC STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. ALL VEHICLES HAD STEEL BRAKE LINES REPLACED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. I TEND TO KEEP MY CARS UNTIL THEY ARE TEN PLUS YEARS OLD. THE MAJORITY OF MY CARS HAVE HAD BRAKES FAIL DUE TO CORROSION OF THE TUBING. I WAS WONDERING WHY STAINLESS STEEL TUBING IS NOT REQUIRED ON BRAKE LINES?
NHTSA complaint #10308104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arcadia, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE (PLASTIC) MANIFOLD ON OUR 1997 OLDS 88 THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS CAR (WHILE RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUE FOR SIMILAR DEFECTS ON SIMILAR CARS). WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND THAT STILL DOESN'T FIX THE COOLANT IN THE ENGINE WHICH CANNOT BE ENTIRELY CLEARED OUT WITHOUT REMOVING THE ENGINE AND INCURRING OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10243103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesPort Saint Lucie, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. VERY MINOR FENDER BENDER NO DAMAGE TO OTHER CAR. SMALL FIST SIZE DENT TO THE CAR IN QUESTION. NOTED FROM COP ON SEEN, SPEED WAS LESS THAN 10 MPH. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND TOTALED INSIDE OF CAR. SENT 2 PERSONS TO HOSPITAL.
NHTSA complaint #10221204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesFountain Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
DT: THE REAR BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE BACK DRUMS ARE BLACK, THEY'VE NEVER HAD CONTACT UNLESS USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10124090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesEast Point, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN WEEK DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 04V090000. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10113537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Lake, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON FEBRUARY 25, 2004 MY GRANDPARENTS PURCHASED A 1997 OLDSMOBILE LSS FROM NORTH LAKE FORD IN LAKEPORT CALIFORNIA. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTENT STALL, AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IN FACT THE VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING AND THEY WERE NEARLY RAN OVER BY A SEMI TRUCK WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED FOUR TIMES, AND IT STILL STALLS TO THIS DAY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHE.
NHTSA complaint #10100167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andover, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY FAILED. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDERNEATH ,AND SAW THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #10089467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,348 milesVerona, PA
STEERING
I HAVE A 1987 OLDSMOBILE 88 LSS THAT I TOOK IN FOR INSPECTION. IT PASSED INSPECTION, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT COULD CAUSE THE BEARINGS TO LOCK UP, BURN THE BELT AND I WOULD LOSE STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10086248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,500 milesKenton, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MISFIRING, BACKFIRING, STALLING AND COOLANT LEAKS DUE TO LEAKING PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKETS. DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND NO PROBLEMS IN SEPT. 2000. KEPT HAVING PROBLEMS. TOOK TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND UPPER INTAKE GASKET WAS REPLACED, FAILED 2 WEEKS LATER AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN. LEAKS COOLANT ONTO FLOOR. CAN SMELL COOLANT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND GARAGE WHERE PARKED.
NHTSA complaint #10062271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesMerritt Island, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A CRACK, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. *AK THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND THE SPARK PLUGS, HEAD GASKET STARTER, AND THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS REPLACED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10057786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesMerritt Island, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A CRACK, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. *AK THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND THE SPARK PLUGS, HEAD GASKET STARTER, AND THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS REPLACED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10057786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, MY HORN DOESN'T WORK UNTIL THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL WARMS UP, WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO AN HOUR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MY OLDS DEALER IS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS BECAUSE THEY ADVISED THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS TO REPLACE THE $700+ AIR BAG BECAUSE ALL THE WIRING FOR THE HORN IS RUN THROUGH THE AIR BAG. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE WAS NO "INCIDENT" BUT APPARENTLY I HAVE TO PUT IN A DATE SO I WILL JUST MAKE ONE UP SO I CAN PROCEED WITH MY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10056659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 750,132 milesPlano, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE MANIFOLD EXPLODED WHEN IGNITION TURNED TO START. FUEL RAIL BENT, FUEL REGULATOR DAMAGED, LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE AND EXPLOSIVE SOUND OCCURRED. ENGINE COVER SPLIT IN TWO.
NHTSA complaint #10051243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,257 milesCibolo, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE 88 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT BOOM AND THE CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AND SMOKE BARRELLED OUT OF THE ENGINE AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER.I HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAYTO THE NEXT PARKING LOT.WE HAD OUR CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT WE NEEDED A A NEW ENGINE.THEY IN TURN TOWED IT TO YET ANOTHER REPUTABLE SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE BLEW DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD.IT WAS PLASTIC AND WITH THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE ALOOWED IT TO LEAK INTO OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINES COOLING SYSTEM.GM DIDN'T TAKE FAULT EVEN THOUGH THEY STOPPED USING THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD AND HAD A RECALL ON IT.FROM MY UNDERSTANDING. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE AND THE REFERRED US TO TH ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE IN WHICH GM STILL REFUSES TO TAKE FAULT BECAUSE WE WERE NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE CAR AND THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THE CAR AT AROUND 70,000.THE CAR GOT AN INSPECTION BEFORE IT WAS SOLD, I'M SURE TOYOTA WOULD'NT RESALE A JUNK TO IT'S CUSTOMERS.IT WAS IN SHOWROOM CONDITION WHEN WE PURCHASED IT.
NHTSA complaint #10049454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES AND SHIMMIES. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10043997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBaudette, MNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE BACK FIRED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE *MR *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10031527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,058 milesBurdett, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE BACK FIRED AND BLEW THE "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10018160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO CORROSION, ALSO THE HEATER CORE FAILED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10011756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO CORROSION, ALSO THE HEATER CORE FAILED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10011756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,232 milesCincinnati, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THIS VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND THE GAS LINES HAVE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK BETWEEN THE INCLINE FUEL FILTER AND THE GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10002092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thomasgrove, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING WATER INSIDE ENGINE, AND ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10002026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.