1988 Oldsmobile 88 Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Oldsmobile 88 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile 88. The part named most often is steering, with 11 complaints (30% of the total), followed by engine cooling (5) and vehicle speed control (5). Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering11 30%
- Engine cooling5 14%
- Seat belts4 11%
- Brakes3 8.1%
- Tires3 8.1%
- Seats2 5.4%
- Body and structure2 5.4%
- Air bags1 2.7%
- Electrical system1 2.7%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “Rack & pinion steering would lock up if vehicle sattoo long. This has happened when the weather was cold or hot. Also, brake pads wore out the rotors. Pads were harder than the rotors. Had taken vehicle to dealership several times for repairs of rack & pinion steering, and each time mechanic refused to repair it.”
NHTSA complaint #861186, filed 2000-05Vehicle speed control: “Had pulled out into traffic. Pressed on accelerator & nothing happened. Suddenly vehicle accelerated. Took vehicle to dealership to have it checked. Happens intermittently. The mechanic took vehicle for test drive & nothing was found.”
NHTSA complaint #824256, filed 1998-06Seat belts: “Driver's side seat belt failed to retract out of retractor mechanism, causing seat belt to become inoperable, consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #887166, filed 2001-04Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Oldsmobile 88 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- PE89171BRAKE FAILUREClosed · Sep 26, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Oldsmobile 88.
Other model years of the Oldsmobile 88
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 77 | 66,140 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 164 | 69,080 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 101 | 63,257 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 92 | 125,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 117 | 136,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 63 | 128,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 74 | 70,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 73 | 98,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 16 | 82,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 24 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 27 | 95,626 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 37 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 18 | 150,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 19 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 7 | 92,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 9 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Oldsmobile 88 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Oldsmobile 88 have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile 88 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Oldsmobile 88 is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 11 complaints (30% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 5.
Has the 1988 Oldsmobile 88 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.