1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 49%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the brakes of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 49% of the 74 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rear calipers have locked up several times. They have both been replaced several times. The brakes go on fine, and stop the car great, but they do not release once the brake pedal is released. The master cylinder and brake booster have also been replaced, as has the parking brake cable. Once they I locked, if I turn off the enging and wait for a few minutes, they will eventually release. I have taken the car to several shops, but they are unable to find the problem. This problem has resulted in fire twice, and smoke and totalled rotors on several occasions.”
NHTSA complaint #715508, filed 1999-12“With light braking the rear brakes locked up at speeds under 15mph. This happened twice, the second time resulting in a crash with vehicle being totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #717535, filed 2000-01Related recalls
- 88V175000Nov 4, 1988The parking brake cable may be disconnected from the left rear brake caliper.Covers: Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 18 | 23% |
| 1998 | 41 | 26% |
| 1997 | 25 | 26% |
| 1996 | 20 | 16% |
| 1995 | 37 | 24% |
| 1994 | 36 | 24% |
| 1993 | 48 | 35% |
| 1992 | 53 | 39% |
| 1991 | 60 | 31% |
| 1990 | 51 | 50% |
| 1989 | 47 | 42% |
| 1988 | 36 | 49% |
| 1986 | 3 | 13% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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