FaultScore

FaultScore report

1999 Oldsmobile 88 problems

Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 with NHTSA between 1998 and 2022. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 7 worst.

C

FaultScore 43/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Oldsmobile 88.

How this is worked out

The numbers

106

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

14

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

67,280 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

3%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 41 vs 50 Severity 73 vs 50 Early failure 4 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 41
Against the median year of the Oldsmobile 88. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 73
14.2% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 4
3% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Oldsmobile 88

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Oldsmobile 88

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 37 34.9%

0 crashes, 11 fires · median 82,461 mi

Median failure at 61,346 miles

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 91,147 mi

Brakes 8 7.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain 8 7.5%

Median failure at 68,140 miles

Seat Belts 5 4.7%
Steering 5 4.7%

Median failure at 98,640 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 2.8%

Median failure at 145,000 miles

Lights 3 2.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 2.8%
Body & Structure 3 2.8%

Median failure at 118,300 miles

Equipment & Accessories 2 1.9%

Median failure at 55 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 1.9%

Median failure at 64,140 miles

Suspension 2 1.9%

Median failure at 118,300 miles

Airbags 1 0.9%

Exactly what failed

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 12 27.9%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 8 18.6%
Delivery 6 14.0%
Automatic Transmission 5 11.6%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 4 9.3%
Engine 3 7.0%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 3 7.0%
Starter Assembly 2 4.7%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 2.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 13.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 16 42.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 7.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 10 26.3%
150,000+ miles 3 7.9%

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.

Apr 1998 peak 9 May 2022

NHTSA investigations into the 1999 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.

EA07008 Opened 12 Jun 2007 Closed 1 May 2008 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AN...

EA02030 Opened 22 Oct 2002 Closed 9 Mar 2004 FUEL 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...

RQ99007 Opened 26 May 1999 Closed 8 Feb 2002 POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE

Recalls on the 1999 Oldsmobile 88

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.

United States — NHTSA

04V090000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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.

99V089000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Carthage, NC Fire

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10604617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,602 miles Saginaw, MI Fire

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10472613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Tampa, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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.

NHTSA complaint #10094703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles North Babylon, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #10073408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Battle Creek, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10059272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jefferson City, MO Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10022305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 118,300 miles Buhl, MN

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #11464832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,300 miles Buhl, MN

STRUCTURE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11464832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shelby, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #11217585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Dayton, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10978666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Eagan, MN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10820776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Eagan, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10820776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Eagan, MN

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10820776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Huntsville, AL

POWER TRAIN

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 !!!

NHTSA complaint #10765262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mendora Heights, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10619369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carthage, NC Fire

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10604617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,602 miles Saginaw, MI Fire

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10472613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10452565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 171,000 miles Williamsburg, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10359598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,930 miles Keedysville, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10310700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Cumberland, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10289445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles 1316 Chilton Drive, MN

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10278032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,320 miles Huntley, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10230797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ladson, SC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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!

NHTSA complaint #10212689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,840 miles Fort Wayne, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10179003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,359 miles Tucson, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10162267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Oakland, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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!

NHTSA complaint #10147824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wickliffe, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10117630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wickliffe, KY

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10117630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Kissimmee, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10116258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmette, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10109341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.