1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 11%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 11% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass- engine cradle and/or front suspensions broke causing loss of control. The claim was filed for the deceased consumer. The engine cradle fell. The vehicle was traveling on roadway and ran off the roadway into a ditch and began to roll approx. Three times coming to a rest upside down. The consumer was thrown from the vehicle 20 feet from the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10043188, filed 2004-12, 120,000 miles“The distributor shaft seal has deteriorated, allowing oil to flow down the engine block and cover to the bottom of the car with oil. This has also happened to my parents 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass supreme. When I went to my mechanic, he showed me a service form where he just fixed a 1992 olds Cutlass supreme 2 days ago for the exact same problem. It seems to me that if you allow oil to cover the bottom of your car, as well as exterior engine components, it may be a fire hazard. I plan on asking other owners with the 2.8 and 3.2 liter engines if they are having the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #701863, filed 1999-01“While driving vehicle would just go dead. Once going down a hill power went out and there were no brakes. But consumer mangaged to level car off. Consumer has no control over the car. Vehicle would start right back up again.”
NHTSA complaint #859543, filed 2000-03Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 13 | 16% |
| 1998 | 32 | 21% |
| 1997 | 15 | 16% |
| 1996 | 15 | 12% |
| 1995 | 9 | 6% |
| 1994 | 17 | 11% |
| 1993 | 9 | 6% |
| 1992 | 18 | 13% |
| 1991 | 30 | 16% |
| 1990 | 7 | 7% |
| 1989 | 17 | 15% |
| 1988 | 8 | 11% |
| 1987 | 5 | 31% |
| 1986 | 3 | 13% |
| 1985 | 4 | 22% |
| 1984 | 4 | 25% |
| 1983 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
36 complaintsBody and structure
9 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 28, 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