Federal complaints
164
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 135 of 164 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 61 of 164 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
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
93 complaint records16 fire reports
"3.8L V6 ENGINE COOLANT IS GETTING INTO THE ENGINE OIL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*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 →
Brakes
24 complaint records4 crash reports
"WAS ENTERING INTO HIS GARAGE, GOING ABOUT 5MPH AND BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CAR DID DAMAGES. *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 brakes parts in the directory →
Fuel system
20 complaint records
"CONSUMER INDICATED RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS FAILED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER THEY WERE NOT NO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM. *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 fuel system parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA02030 opened Oct 2002 | closed Mar 2004 | Fuel System, Gasoline | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES - led to recall 04V090000 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... |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V090000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. | 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 | Electrical System | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock. | |
| Recalls Jun 2014 | Equipment | Vehicle Recalls | |
| 05-06-04-035D May 2014 | Fuel System | This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle. | |
| 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 |
Show 23 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 050604058 Sep 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | INTERMITTENT CHUGGLE OR FISHBITE ON LIGHT ACCELERATION OR A HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). *TT | |
| 010730032B Nov 2004 | Power Train | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. *TT UPDATED *EH | |
| 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 | |
| 03054 May 2004 | Electrical System | UPCOMING PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *MJ | |
| 57 Jul 2003 | Electrical System | WIRE HARNESS MAY BE STRETCHED, OR THE PCS MAY NOT BE ORIENTED IN THE SAME POSITION, AFTER INSTALLING A SERVICE REPLACEMENT VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY. GM TECH LINK. *TT | |
| 000730002B Jul 2002 | Power Train | CONCERNS WITH SLIPS, HARSH UPSHIFT OR GARAGE SHIFTS, LAUNCH SHUDDERS, FLARES, ERRATIC SHIFTS AND INTERMITTENT CONCERNS, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1811 OR P0748 SET. *TT | |
| 020730014A Jul 2002 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON SERVICING 4T65-E TRANSAXLE SPACER PLATE AND GASKETS FOR VARIOUS MODELS FROM 1997 THROUGH 2002. *TT | |
| 010601008A May 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT | |
| 020730014 Apr 2002 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON SERVICING 4T65E TRANSAXLE SPACER PLATE AND GASKETS. *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 | |
| 010601008 Feb 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT | |
| 990604045 Oct 1999 | Vehicle Speed Control | SUBJECT REGARDING LOW POWER / STUMBLE WHEN ACCELERATING IN TURNS OR STRAIGHT LINE. *TT | |
| 990604037 Sep 1999 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS. *MJS | |
| 98068 Jul 1999 | Equipment | PRODUCT EMISSION CAMPAIGN REGARDING VEHICLES WITH AN INCORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL LABEL. *TT | |
| 990730007 May 1999 | Power Train | VEHICLES WITH HYDRA-MATIC TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT VEHICLE SHUDDER WHEN REAPPLYING THROTTLE (GREATER THAN 50%) AFTER STOPPING. *TT | |
| 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 | |
| 971201776530 Apr 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | COMMENTS THAT THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, HAS LACK OF POWER, HAS A KNOCK NOISE, AND/OR THE MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT) IS ILLUMINATED. *YC | |
| 98876514 Apr 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONDITION REGARDING THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS DURING A CLOSED THROTTLE DECELERATION FROM ABOUT 35 MPH. *YC | |
| 98003 Feb 1998 | Electrical System | INFORMATION ON SPARK PLUG TIP EROSION CALIBRATION PCM REFLASH. *YC | |
| 971101631041 Nov 1997 | Structure | COMMENTS ON INOPERATIVE POWER DOOR LOCKS (FRONT AND/OR REAR DOORS). |
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.
- 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.
- Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
- 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 →