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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 →
92Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
74
199363
1994117
199592
1996101
1997164
199877
1999
Compare all 88 years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
23Electrical System
11Air Bags
10Fuel System, Gasoline
9Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6
All reported categories
Structure
6Tires
6Power Train
5Vehicle Speed Control
4Visibility
4Exterior Lighting
3Seats
3Steering
3Equipment
2Interior Lighting
2Service Brakes, Air
2Back Over Prevention
1Child Seat
1Engine
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Seat Belts
1Suspension
1Unknown Or Other
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
125,500 miles · Sep 22, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE FAILURE--SENDING UNIT GOT SO HOT IT FUSED THE WIRES TOGETHER AND THEN SENT A JOLT OF ELECTRICITY TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BURNING OUT PART OF THE CLUSTER; IN ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES WERE SO BRITTLE THAT THEY FELL APART THEREFORE, IT WOULD SEEM THAT EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD LEAD …

Read full complaint

FUEL GAUGE FAILURE--SENDING UNIT GOT SO HOT IT FUSED THE WIRES TOGETHER AND THEN SENT A JOLT OF ELECTRICITY TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BURNING OUT PART OF THE CLUSTER; IN ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES WERE SO BRITTLE THAT THEY FELL APART THEREFORE, IT WOULD SEEM THAT EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE OR AN EXPLOSION. I HAVE THE SENDING UNIT OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WITH THE FUSED WIRES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137357

92,000 miles · Sep 16, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: EARLIER IN THE DAY THE CAR WAS HARD TO START AND THE GAS GAUGE WAS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE FUEL CENTER LINE LEAKED , AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT RUSTED. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL CENTER LINE, AND THE TWO LINES LEADING UP TO THE CENTER LINE, FOR A TOTAL OF $720.00. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10131981

76,047 miles · Apr 27, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10119239

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE OUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110931

93,000 miles · Jul 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

A HOLE WITHIN INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS A RESULT VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY IN STARTING INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10081786

60,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS AT ZERO, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10065085

114,675 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. COOLANT SEEPED INSIDE THE ENGINE. AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WILL REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064805

105,000 miles · Apr 16, 2004
Electrical System

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 95V204000 CONCERNING IGNITION ANTI THEFT CONTROLLER. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067285

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10065417

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER CITED THE POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED FOR THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND POOR DESIGN AROUND THE EGR STOVE PIPE. *LA THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE GASKETS WERE LEAKING, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE UPPER INTAKE PLENUM WAS REPLACED AND OVER TIME THE INTAKE GASKETS LEAKED AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059462

Official recalls

2

96V116000 · 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

1

EA02030 · 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.