Federal complaints
117
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 101 of 117 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
23 complaint records3 fire reports1 crash report
"WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Air bags
21 complaint records5 crash reports
"NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG IN COLLISION/FAILURE OF SEAT BELTS TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN DRIVER IN ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Brakes
17 complaint records2 crash reports
"VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN AT SPEED 3 MPH VEHICLE WENT OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, APPLIED BRAKES WHICH FAILED, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94V138000 | Exterior Lighting | A SPRING IN THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE HEAD PARK LAMP SWITCH CAN FAIL PREVENTING LATCHING OF THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE SWITCH IN THE "ON" POSITION. | Normally free |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19NA273 Dec 2019 | Equipment | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock. | |
| 17-NA-073 Mar 2017 | Equipment | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy. | |
| 130089009 Sep 2013 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules | |
| 010601007 Sep 2007 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION OR COOLANT LEAK (INSPECT FOR MATERIAL DEGRADATION/REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLDS) *TT UPDATED 11/02/07 *NJ | |
| 050604058 Sep 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | INTERMITTENT CHUGGLE OR FISHBITE ON LIGHT ACCELERATION OR A HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). *TT |
Show 39 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 040601017 Jun 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | NEW UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET KITS. *TT | |
| 040601021 Jun 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | NEW REAR MAIN SEAL AND SPECIAL TOOL FOR INSTALLATION. *TT | |
| 010601008A May 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT | |
| 010601007A Jul 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION, OR AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK NEAR OR UNDER THE THROTTLE BODY AREA OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TT | |
| 990730030A Apr 2001 | Power Train | OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT | |
| 010601008 Feb 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT | |
| 990730030 Dec 1999 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT | |
| 832006 Dec 1998 | Structure | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS CORROSION ( RUST ) APPEARING ON THE LEFT AND /OR RIGHT ROCKER PANEL(S). *YC | |
| 98833005 Oct 1998 | Suspension | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE | |
| 831704 Oct 1998 | Structure | CONCERNS OF DOOR HANDLES ON WHITE PAINTED VEHICLES TRUNING YELLOW. *YC | |
| 98838313 May 1998 | Unknown Or Other | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE CUPHOLDER DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. *YC | |
| 98777155A Apr 1998 | Power Train | EXPERIENCING A TRANSAXLE GEAR WHINE NOISE ON COAST DOWN OR LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH. *YC | |
| 971101631041 Nov 1997 | Structure | COMMENTS ON INOPERATIVE POWER DOOR LOCKS (FRONT AND/OR REAR DOORS). | |
| 9709016116A Sep 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | COMMENTS OF AN ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT APPEARS TO ORIGINATE TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE; REAR OF ENGINE. *YC | |
| 9709013202B Sep 1997 | Steering | EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STEERING COLUMN SNAP OR CLICK NOISE WHEN TURNING. *YC | |
| 970801777155 Aug 1997 | Power Train | EXPERIENCING A TRANSAXLE GEAR WHINE NOISE ON COAST DOWN OR LIGHT ACCELERATION. *YC | |
| 97080177715F Aug 1997 | Power Train | EXPERIENCE A TRANSAXLE GEAR WHINE NOISE ON COAST DOWN OR LIGHT ACCELERATION. *YC | |
| 731608 Jun 1997 | Visibility | EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF ELECTROCHROMIC INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. *TW | |
| 536506A Jun 1997 | Electrical System | DRIVELINE VIBRATION OVER 37 MPH (REPLACE PROM). *TW | |
| 970501735019 May 1997 | Service Brakes | WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED FORCE OR ENGINE LOAD MAY AFFECT AND CAUSE VARIOUS NOISES. *YC | |
| 549001A Mar 1997 | Equipment | CLN INDICATOR APPEARS ON RADIO DISPLAY AND DOES NOT TURN OFF (RESET CLN INDICATOR WITH THE EJECT BUTTON ON TAPE). *TW | |
| 731207 Mar 1997 | Equipment | INTERMITTENT A/C SYSTEM THUMP NOISE ON INITIAL START UP FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL (REPLACE ACCUMULATOR). *TW | |
| 677164 Feb 1997 | Power Train | INTERMITTENT NEUTRAL OR LOSS OF DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR FROM FOURTH GEAR (REPLACE CONTROL VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY). *TW | |
| 577106A Feb 1997 | Power Train | COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW | |
| 577106A Dec 1996 | Power Train | COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW | |
| 535014 Sep 1995 | Service Brakes | ABS ADN TRACTION OFF INDICATOR LAMPS COME ON. *SD | |
| 538207 Aug 1995 | Interior Lighting | INTERMITTENT DEAD BATTERY (REPAIR TRUNK LAMP GROUND TO BODY(. *SD | |
| 9573T4001 Aug 1995 | Power Train | GRINDING AND/OR GROWLING NOISE IN PARK ON INCLINE.*SD | |
| 576105 Jun 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | COOLANT LEAK NEAR BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY 9REPLACE O-RINGS ON HEATER COOLANT BYPASS INLET PIPE ASSEMBLY). *SD | |
| 476006A Jun 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POPPING/FLUTTERING/TICKING/SPARK KNOCK/CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING UP MEDIUM GRADES OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (REPLACE EXHAUST SEAL OR RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD).*SD | |
| 576113 May 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | UNKNOWN | |
| 576104 May 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | UNKNOWN | |
| 438325 Feb 1995 | Unknown Or Other | DEFROSTER GRILL WARPAGE. *TW | |
| 577106 Feb 1995 | Power Train | COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW | |
| 438322 Jan 1995 | Unknown Or Other | INADVERTENT LOW FUEL WARNING CHIME. *TW | |
| 433405 Dec 1994 | Suspension | SQUEAK/CREAK NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *TW | |
| 488104 Dec 1994 | Exterior Lighting | HEADLAMPS WILL NOT TURN OFF ON VEHICLES WITH TWILIGHT SENTINEL DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS. *TW | |
| 476006 Dec 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POPPING/FLUTTERING/TICKING/SPARK KNOCK NOISE WHILE DRIVING UP MEDIUM GRADES OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. *TW | |
| CMP/95C11O1 Dec 1994 | Electrical System | GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88 AND 98 MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3800 SERIES II ENGINE (PRO L36), MAY HAVE A DECELERATION STALL UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CONDITIONS. |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Oldsmobile 88 →