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1998 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 →
164Owner 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
117
199592
1996101
1997164
199877
19990
2000
Compare all 88 years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
76Service Brakes, Hydraulic
18Fuel System, Gasoline
16Electrical System
15Power Train
10
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
9Vehicle Speed Control
7Air Bags
6Engine
6Structure
5Fuel System, Other
3Seat Belts
3Suspension
3Wheels
3Seats
2Steering
2Tires
2Visibility
2Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Service Brakes
1Service Brakes, Air
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 102 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 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 16 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 reports13 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

76 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE SPUTTERED AND SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC. FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAUSE WAS COOLANT LEAKAGE THROUGH CRACK IN PLENUM WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700. THIS IS VERY LIKELY THE …

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ENGINE SPUTTERED AND SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC. FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAUSE WAS COOLANT LEAKAGE THROUGH CRACK IN PLENUM WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700. THIS IS VERY LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING CONSUMER COMPLAINTS LISTED ON YOUR SITE: ODI ID'S - 553119, 883623, 886028, AND POSSIBLY OTHERS THAT WERE UNEXPLAINED. I ONLY SEARCHED FOR OLDS 88, BUT THE SAME ENGINE IS USED IN PONTIACS, AND OTHER GM MAKES. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN LISTED BY THE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE ASSOC. OF ARIZONA REPAIR SHOPS - SEE THEIR WEBSITE AND AN ARTICLE UNDER THE TITLE "COOLANT LEAKAGE" WHICH EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM VERY CLEARLY. THE PLENUM IS PLASTIC, AND IS SIMPLY SUBJECTED TO MORE ENGINE HEAT THAN IT CAN SAFELY HANDLE OVER TIME, CAUSING THE CRACKS TO DEVELOP OVER TIME, HENCE THE CONTINUAL AND GRADUAL LOSS OF COOLANT UNTIL IT FINALLY GIVES WAY RESULTING IN TOO MUCH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE TO ALLOW FOR COMBUSTION. AS STATED EARLIER, THIS ENGINE SHUTDOWN COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR IN TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757806

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THEN SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE INSURED THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE.*JB(CLAIM#38-J636-778)

NHTSA ODI #6900815

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE ISURED'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*JB(CLAIM#24-5198-115)

NHTSA ODI #6900814

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE INSURED STATED THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*JB(CLAIM#04-8004-446)

NHTSA ODI #6900813

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR SOLD WITH 100,000 MILE COOLANT-- PART BACKORDERED-- CAN'T GET DUE TO SHORT SUPPLY. REQUESTED THAT DEALER CONTACT OLDS ZONE MANAGER FOR WARRANTY / COST OF FAILURE SUPPORT. NO RESPONSE AS OF THIS DATE.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756577

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 04-8004-446. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900512

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 24-5198-115. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900513

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE AND REPLACED VALVES IN THE EXHAUST, HOWEVER PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #898413

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE STALLS AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLCATE THE PROBLEM, THIS PROBLEM CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. NLM

NHTSA ODI #563135

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #896060

Official recalls

1

04V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Feb 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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.