1996 Oldsmobile 88 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 11%of 92 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 155,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Oldsmobile 88, 11% of the 92 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 155,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While the car was idling in a parking lot, the air bag dash light began blinking and then the driver air bag deployed. The passenger air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10220728, filed 2008-03, 102,050 miles“On the morning of august 8, 2009, I was driving my 1996 Oldsmobile eighty eight on northbound us-27, near alma, michigan. At one point the air bag light on my dashboard came on. Shortly thereafter, both the driver and passenger side air bags deployed spontaneously. I would also like to mention that it was raining quite heavily prior to and throughout this incident. My car is in the process of being repaired. The front windshield was shattered and is being replaced. The dashboard needs to be repaired and the air bags are being removed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10280780, filed 2009-08“The contact owns a 1996 Oldsmobile 88. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the air bag light illuminated and dimmed several times. Minutes later, the light stopped flashing and the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The current mileage was 198,722 and failure mileage was 198,522.”
NHTSA complaint #10225241, filed 2008-04, 198,522 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Oldsmobile 88. While approaching a stop light, the passenger side air bag deployed without a crash or impact occurring. The deployment damaged the dashboard and shattered the windshield. The passenger in the vehicle suffered a minor hand injury. The current and failure mileages were 160,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10266272, filed 2009-04, 160,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Oldsmobile 88. The contact stated that the horn began to sound when the driver side air bag deployed independently. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the horn was deactivated. While leaving the mechanic, the passenger side air bag then independently deployed. The vehicle was not further inspected for the failure and was no longer being driven. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10393920, filed 2011-04, 125,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 6 | 4% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
| 1996 | 10 | 11% |
| 1995 | 21 | 18% |
| 1994 | 4 | 6% |
| 1993 | 7 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 18% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 Oldsmobile 88
23 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Oldsmobile 88
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology