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Body and structurePart report

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Body and structure Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
36%of 22 total for the year
Median mileage
168,925miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 36% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 168,925 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“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 miles

“Identical failure as described on NHTSA campaign id 00v189000/ cradle bolts. However, this campaign is limited to northern tier of states where road salt use is heavy. My vehicle has never been in any of those states. I contend the problem to be more widespread than originally considered. What about coastal states with plenty of salt air. Wouldn't they be similarly affected too? Manufacturer refused settlement because tennessee was not included in the list of states for active campaign.”

NHTSA complaint #753666, filed 2001-10

“The front engine-cradle retainers broke permitting the engine to fall to the road surface as I turned onto a highway disabling all steering controll. I have since been told of a recall ( that had been issued in 1997 ) on the rear retainers of the engine-cradle. I haven't checked the part #s to see if they are the same #s but the functions are the same, to hold the sub-frame to the body. I have been told by Oldsmobile that due to the age ( 10 years ) and the mileage that this is my resonsibility to repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #701677, filed 1998-12

“The crable bolts failed prior to recall notice 00v-189 causing damage to other components of the vehicle, the consumer requested reimbursement but the manufacturer only claimed responsibility for the failure of the cradle bolts and the labor, not the damage caused when the bolts failed. Nlm”

NHTSA complaint #560662, filed 2001-04

“Consumer received a recall to have the rear cradle bolts replaced. Two weeks after the rear bolts were replaced, the front cradle bolts pulled through the retainer due to corrosion of the retainer. The engine dropped and consumer lost steering. Consumer no longer owns this vehicle but is requesting a reimbursement of monies paid because there is now a recall out on the above said defect, however the recall is for the rear cradle bolts.”

NHTSA complaint #566026, filed 2002-06

Related recalls

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
199737%
199624%
199523%
199412%
19901232%
1989835%
1988836%

Other parts of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Brakes
5 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology