1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

213

Owner Complaints

10 Crashes 19 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

4

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88

The 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 has received a total of 213 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (22 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (15 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe (15 complaints).

Recalls for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88, potentially affecting up to 910,873 vehicles.

Recall 04V090000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

| 910,873 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

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Owner Complaints for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88

213 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 22 14 Fires
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 15
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 15
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 14 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 14
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 11
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 10 4 Crashes
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 9
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 8
Engine
Complaints: 6 2 Fires
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 5 3 Crashes 2 Injuries
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 5
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 4
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 3
Electrical System
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 2
Structurebody
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bags
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemhoseslinespipingfittings
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherfuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilockcontrol Unitmodule
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 5 Injuries
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Structurebodyhoodhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1
Wheelshub
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11066173 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
IGNITION IS MESSED UP THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THERE IS A RECALL BUT NEVER SHOW ME PAPERS AND I WAS WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ONE
#10915750 | ENGINE | | 120,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE APPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED OIL ON THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
#10911055 | ENGINE | | 84,000 miles
ENGINE USING COOLANT BUT NO EVIDENT LEAK. AFTER A WEEK OF ADDING A LITTLE COOLANT TO RESERVOIR ENGINE RAN HOT AND HYDRO-LOCKED DUE TO CYLINDERS FLOODED WITH COOLANT. DISCOVERED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD HOLE IN IT WHERE THE EGR TUBE ENTERED PLASTIC MANIFOLD ALLOWING COOLANT TO FLOOD INTAKE. THIS ENGINE HAD 84K MILES. ALSO DISCOVERED INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED AT 45K MILES BY DEALER. DEFINITELY AN ENGINEERING DEFECT.
#10839420 | ENGINE | | 36,000 miles Fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE RESERVOIR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE EXHAUST PIPE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RELEASED LARGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
#10764472 | ENGINE | | N/A miles Fire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE SHORTLY AFTER SHUTDOWN. INCIDENT 2015-00005013

View all Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88

General Motors, LLC has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

010601007 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION OR COOLANT LEAK (INSPECT FOR MATERIAL DEGRADATION/REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLDS) *TT UPDATED 11/02/07 *NJ

03054 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

UPCOMING PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *MJ

990604045 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUBJECT REGARDING LOW POWER / STUMBLE WHEN ACCELERATING IN TURNS OR STRAIGHT LINE. *TT

990730007 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLES WITH HYDRA-MATIC TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT VEHICLE SHUDDER WHEN REAPPLYING THROTTLE (GREATER THAN 50%) AFTER STOPPING. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the OLDSMOBILE 88

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Other OLDSMOBILE Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report