1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The part named most often is body and structure, with 8 complaints (36% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and steering (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Body and structure8 36%
- Brakes5 23%
- Steering3 14%
- Suspension3 14%
- Engine cooling2 9.1%
- Other or unknown2 9.1%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “I have a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Which is having a failure of the exterior door handles. This is an ongoing issue. I have contacted GM about this and they state that due to vehicle age it is not their responsibility. Yet I found on a GM website for replacement parts this information. The handle castings break, fail, fatigue and stretch - no cure or fix except to replace it with a new assembly. It is the casting (not the handle) that is the real problem - that's why you won't find used ones, they are all broke! This affects all 1987-1996 grand prix's, beretta's and Cutlass Supreme's. …”
NHTSA complaint #10038761, filed 2003-09, 168,925 milesBrakes: “The contact owns a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. While driving 45 MPH,the contact heard a squealing noise and had to apply additional pressure to the gas pedal to increase the speed. The failure mileage was 65,800. The contact drove the vehicle home and discovered that the caliper was not retracting properly. The contact will repair the vehicle. The current mileage was 66,400. The calipers were corroded. Updated 04/05/07.”
NHTSA complaint #10184457, filed 2007-03, 65,800 milesSteering: “When driving noticed smoke around the steering column area . Consumer also noticed the problem when traveling long distance. Noticed the problem twice a week.”
NHTSA complaint #815988, filed 1997-09Suspension: “The shocks and struts fell off therefor causing a flip over when the back right tire blew. The tire blew because the shocks and struts were rubbing against the tires, therefor, exposing the threads. (tiresize: p195/r14)( DOT number: tire size: p195/r14 )”
NHTSA complaint #743126, filed 2001-03Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,800 and 168,925 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutlass Supreme FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Cutlass Supreme FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cutlass Supreme Classic RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 00V189000Jul 11, 2000Body and structureCovers: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1988–1990, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991, Buick Regal 1988–1991 +2 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio…
Recall details for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
Other model years of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 43 | 68,500 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 47 | 67,500 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 77 | 103,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 43 | 81,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | 95,375 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 23 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
All Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 8 complaints (36% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.
Has the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (Cutlass Supreme, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,800 and 168,925 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 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.