1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

107

Owner Complaints

7 Crashes 2 Fires 4 Deaths

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

The 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS has received a total of 107 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STRUCTURE, WHEELS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components (8 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc (8 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper (8 complaints).

Recalls for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS, potentially affecting up to 3,329,813 vehicles.

Recall 97V058000 — STRUCTURE

| 676,535 vehicles affected

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER...

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

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Recall 95V115000 — WHEELS

| 22,361 vehicles affected

Defect: CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

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Recall 94V041000 — WHEELS

| 198,163 vehicles affected

Defect: CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

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Recall 90V054000 — SEAT BELTS

| 673,000 vehicles affected

Defect: FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

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Recall 89V102000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

| 1,755,897 vehicles affected

Defect: A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Consequence: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

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Recall 88V175000 — PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

| 3,857 vehicles affected

Defect: THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER.

Consequence: PARKING BRAKE CANNOT BE PROPERLY APPLIED AND VEHICLEWILL NOT MEET THE GRADE HOLDING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105.

Remedy: INSTALL A RETAINER ON LEFT REAR CALIPER IF CABLE IS NOT ALREADY RETAINED WITH A COTTER PIN AND ADJUST PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.

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Owner Complaints for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

107 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 8 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 8
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 8
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 1 Death
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structure
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury 1 Death
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 3
Parking Brakeconventional
Complaints: 3
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 2
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 2
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Death
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systeminjectors
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineconstant Velocity Joint
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Death
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assembly
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherswitchwiring
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10151667 | STEERING:RACK AND PINION | | 50,500 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB
#10088977 | STRUCTURE | | 120,000 miles Crash 1 Injury 1 Death
ENGINE SUPPORT FAILED (BROKE) WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IMPOSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LEAVE ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES, CAUSING MY DAUGHTER'S DEATH. ALSO, I REPORTED THIS DEVASTATING EVENT SHORTLY AFTER IT OCCURRED AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY RESPONSE FROM ANY AGENCY. *AK *JB
#10057815 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | | N/A miles Fire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FIRE. *PH *NM
#10043188 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | | 120,000 miles Crash 1 Death
1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS- ENGINE CRADLE AND/OR FRONT SUSPENSIONS BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *LA THE CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE DECEASED CONSUMER. THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A DITCH AND BEGAN TO ROLL APPROX. THREE TIMES COMING TO A REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. *TC
#10043188 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | | 120,000 miles Crash 1 Death
1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS- ENGINE CRADLE AND/OR FRONT SUSPENSIONS BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *LA THE CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE DECEASED CONSUMER. THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A DITCH AND BEGAN TO ROLL APPROX. THREE TIMES COMING TO A REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. *TC

View all Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

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

Other Model Years of the OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

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Other OLDSMOBILE Models

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