20 of the
213 complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile 88 are about the
fuel system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,000 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10504705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesMounds View, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10186984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,769 milesHobe Sound, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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
NHTSA complaint #10117454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesBoyd, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10115782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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
NHTSA complaint #10109609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,386 milesHighland, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10109812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesColumbus, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10101665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,990 milesApple Valley, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10095197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webb, MS
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CONSUMER INDICATED RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS FAILED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER THEY WERE NOT NO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10094082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,520 milesBroomall, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10091538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webb, MS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP INDICATED NOTHING WE COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #10089682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Auburn, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10089687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesChalfont, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10083141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,416 milesHouston, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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
NHTSA complaint #10083482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,100 milesPittsburgh, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MY 1998 OLDS 88 BACKFIRED UPON STARTING AND BLEW UP THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION DESTROYED THE ENGINE COVER AND THE FUEL RAIL. THE ENGINE IS THE 3800 V6. THE VEHICLE HAS 21,000 MILES BUT WAS OLDER THAN 3YRS, THUS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. BECAUSE GM WOULD NOT OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR, I HAD IT REPAIRED MYSELF. THE EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A LEAKING FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR THAT VENTED BACK THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THRU A VACUUM LINE. THIS SITUATION LOOKS TO BE EXACTLY LIKE A RECALL ON VERY SIMILAR BUICK CARS. IT WAS NHTSA RECALL # 03V473000 ON NOV 12TH 2003. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER VEHICLES LIKE MINE.
NHTSA complaint #10060452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,200 milesMaumelle, AR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHILE MERGING INTO INTERSTATE RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING ENGINE FAILED CAUSING LOST OF BRAKING AND STEERING EFFECTIVENESS. NO WARNING WAS RECEIVED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND UPPER INTAKE WAS FOUND CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER COMBUSTION CHAMBER. ONE WEEK AND $800.00 LATER CAR WAS "REPAIRED" VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEMS. HARD STARTING, RANDOM STALLING. DEALER ADVISED ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3800 SERIES II ENGINE REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR TYPE OF USE AND MAINTENANCE. CONSIDERING THE SUDDEN LOST OF ALL POWER THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS BRAKING AND STEERING EFFECTIVENESS IS REDUCED AS IS ELECTRICAL POWER FOR ACCESSORIES SUCH AS HEADLAMPS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
NHTSA complaint #10041273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesDayton, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE SPLIT AND LEAKED FUEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY MOTHER'S 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. HAD SHE NOT SMELLED THE FUEL AND PARKED THE CAR, I'M SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10018870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charles City, IA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPLAIRED. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE DESIGN CHANGE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS USED TO BE MADE OF METAL AND NOW THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8012951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hedgesville, WV
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN AWFULL SMELL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. MECHANIC SAID PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A HOLE IN IT, AND WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE FROM RADIATOR. PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHOLE IN THE PLENUM WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY EGR VALVE, PER MACHANIC AND GM REP.(CAR WAS GOING TO BURST INTO FLAMES)-PLEASE SEE REVERSE SIDE. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND LIFE THREATENING, AND IS GREATFUL FOR NOT BEING HARMED, BUT WANTS THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED SO THAT PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES, WONT BE IN DANGER. CONSUMER ALSO FEELS THAT, SHOULDN'T THERE BE METAL PLENUMS INSTEAD OF PLASTIC.*AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8011350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerville, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING DUE TO LEAKING FUEL PRESSURE REGLULATOR VALVE FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.