1989 Oldsmobile 88 Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 95,626miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 1989 Oldsmobile 88 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile 88. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by seat belts (4) and vehicle speed control (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,626 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
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.
- Fuel system5 19%
- Seat belts4 15%
- Air bags2 7.4%
- Brakes2 7.4%
- Electrical system2 7.4%
- Engine cooling2 7.4%
- Tires2 7.4%
- Equipment1 3.7%
Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 95,626 and 95,626 miles.
Complaints 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
- 89V188000Nov 7, 1989Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Oldsmobile 88 1989, Buick Lesabre 1989
Vehicles may have discrepant welds in the left rear rocker panel which can cause deformation of the panel.
- 88V143000Aug 29, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › StorageCovers: Oldsmobile 88 1989, Buick Lesabre 1989, Pontiac Bonneville 1989
Fuel rollover valve assembly may not have been installed.
Recall details for the 1989 Oldsmobile 88 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Oldsmobile 88 have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile 88 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Oldsmobile 88 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by seat belts with 4.
Has the 1989 Oldsmobile 88 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Oldsmobile 88 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,626 miles and the middle half falls between 95,626 and 95,626 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.