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1993 Oldsmobile 88

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
74Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
24
199016
199173
199274
199363
1994117
199592
1996
Compare all 88 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
21Power Train
18Engine And Engine Cooling
11Air Bags
7Electrical System
7
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
5Seat Belts
4Structure
4Steering
3Equipment
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Visibility
2Fuel System, Other
1Suspension
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 74 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports10 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 19, 1997
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55MPH UP A GRADE, NOTICED SMOKING IN THE REAR, LIFTED UP OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD INTO THE PASSENGER'S SECTION. WHEN LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, THE OIL WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE LOWER TRANS AXLE. BECAUSE THE LOWER TRANS AXLE OIL COOLER LINE SEPARATED FROM THE COUPLINGS. THERES …

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WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55MPH UP A GRADE, NOTICED SMOKING IN THE REAR, LIFTED UP OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD INTO THE PASSENGER'S SECTION. WHEN LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, THE OIL WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE LOWER TRANS AXLE. BECAUSE THE LOWER TRANS AXLE OIL COOLER LINE SEPARATED FROM THE COUPLINGS. THERES NO'T ENOUGH RETENTION ON THE COUPLINGS TO HOLD IN PLACE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812363

Mileage unknown · May 9, 1997
Power Train

LOWER TRANSAXLE HOSE PULLED OUT OF CRIMPED COUPLING, SPRAYING OIL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI #517108

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 1996
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTILOCK BRAKES POWER MODULATOR FAILED..(2ND VEHICLE ON 506065)

NHTSA ODI #601619

Mileage unknown · May 23, 1996
Power TrainFire

DRIVING VEHICLE TO WORK, VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN, PULLED IT OFF ROAD, SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT, VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES (96V015002). *AK

NHTSA ODI #984809

Mileage unknown · May 21, 1996
Power Train

RECALL RELATED, 96V0150000, CONTACT DEALERSHIP ON APR. 13,1996, AND WAS NOTIFIED NO PARTS AVAILABLE AFTER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AGAIN IN MAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #984702

Mileage unknown · May 16, 1996
Power Train

OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS IN. RECALL #96V015002 *AK

NHTSA ODI #984554

Mileage unknown · May 2, 1996
Power Train

NO PARTS FOR 3MONTHS (96V015002). PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #983939

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1996
Power Train

THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO PARTS TO REPLACED RECALLED TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES (96V-015002). *AK

NHTSA ODI #983721

Official recalls

1

96V015000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Jan 23, 1996

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE93013 · Fuel Leaks

Opened Mar 5, 1993 · Closed Jul 13, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available