IllustrationTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OR IMPACT OCCURRING. THE DEPLOYMENT DAMAGED THE DASHBOARD AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A MINOR HAND INJURY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
1996 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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 88 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
025–50K
450–75K
475–100K
7100–150K
10150K+
27 reports with mileage · 65 unknown
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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports9 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
92 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DIMMED SEVERAL TIMES. MINUTES LATER, THE LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,722 AND …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DIMMED SEVERAL TIMES. MINUTES LATER, THE LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,722 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,522.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE 88. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR A CRASH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 231,363.
WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, THE AIR BAG DASH LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND THEN THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
I AM TRYING TO INSTALL CAR SEATS FOR BOTH MY CHILDREN IN MY 1996 OLDSMOBILE LSS AND THERE ARE NO ANCHOR POINTS INSTALLED FOR THE TETHER STRAP, THUS MAKING THE CHILD SEAT USELESS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT IF NO ANCHOR POINTS ARE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE TO CALL YOUR LOCAL DEALER AND HAVE THEM INSTALLED IN THE LOCATIONS SHOW…
Read full complaint
I AM TRYING TO INSTALL CAR SEATS FOR BOTH MY CHILDREN IN MY 1996 OLDSMOBILE LSS AND THERE ARE NO ANCHOR POINTS INSTALLED FOR THE TETHER STRAP, THUS MAKING THE CHILD SEAT USELESS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT IF NO ANCHOR POINTS ARE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE TO CALL YOUR LOCAL DEALER AND HAVE THEM INSTALLED IN THE LOCATIONS SHOWN IN THE MANUAL. THE LOCAL GM DEALER SAYS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANCHOR POINTS AND WILL NOT INSTALL THEM. THEY ARE TELLING ME TO GO TO THE CAR SEAT MANUFACTURER TO GET THE ANCHOR POINTS. THE CHILD SEAT MANUFACTURER (BRITAX) DOES NOT MAKE THEM. THE LOCAL AGENCY THAT INSTALLS AND ENSURES PROPER CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION TOLD ME TO GO TO THE GM DEALER. SO NOW, I AM BACK A SQUARE ONE AND CANNOT HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR! I ALSO HAVE A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN THAT HAS ANCHOR POINTS FOR THE 3RD ROW SEAT, BUT MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE SECOND ROW. AGAIN, GM WILL NOT INSTALL ANCHOR POINTS FOR ME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE 88. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER MULTI-MILE GRAND AM RADIAL SE, SIZE P205/70R15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. THE TIRE MECHANIC BALANCED THE TIRES, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE TIRE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND HE REPLACED THE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE 88. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER MULTI-MILE GRAND AM RADIAL SE, SIZE P205/70R15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. THE TIRE MECHANIC BALANCED THE TIRES, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE TIRE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND HE REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRES. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE TIRE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A BULGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND HE REPLACED BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 97,016. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE LSS. ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLAMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT BELIEVED SAFETY RECALL # 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) W…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE LSS. ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLAMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT BELIEVED SAFETY RECALL # 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING THE FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 186,272 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,272.
MY CAR WAS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS STARTING AND STAYING STARTED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BACK FIRE AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. WE CHECKED THE PLUGS AND ALSO TESTED TO SEE IF WAS GETTING FUEL. YES, THE PLUGS WERE FINE, AND IT WAS GETTING FUEL. I THEN TOOK OFF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE HAD THAT TESTED AND THAT WAS FINE. I WAS TOLD THEN I…
Read full complaint
MY CAR WAS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS STARTING AND STAYING STARTED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BACK FIRE AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. WE CHECKED THE PLUGS AND ALSO TESTED TO SEE IF WAS GETTING FUEL. YES, THE PLUGS WERE FINE, AND IT WAS GETTING FUEL. I THEN TOOK OFF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE HAD THAT TESTED AND THAT WAS FINE. I WAS TOLD THEN IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. REPLACED THAT, THE CAM SENSOR THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, VALVE COVER GASKET, THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS THAT WERE CRACKED, PIECES MISSING, AND COVERED IN THICK BROWN GOOD. MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START, AND HAS WATER FALLS OF WATER COMING OUT THE PLUG HOLES. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE NEAR THE SIDE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BUSTED DUE TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. THE …
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BUSTED DUE TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. UPDATED 03/03/06. *JB
Official recalls
296V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Jul 1, 1996
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
95V204000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module
Oct 23, 1995
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
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
1EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.