1998 Oldsmobile 88 problems
NHTSA has received 213 complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile 88, and 37% of them involve engine. Next are brakes (11%) and fuel system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 213 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 37% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 10 and 19
- Injuries and deaths
- 11 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 66,000 miles 74 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 20 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 23 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 10 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 74 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 66,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 72,000 miles (31 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 10 complaints mention a crash; 19 complaints mention a fire; 11 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Oldsmobile 88 with enough data (127 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving about 40-45 MPH right inner tie rod broke, and driver lost control of vehicle. Vehicle hit an embankment, crashed into a culver, and went across a driveway before stopping. There were five passengers in the vehicle, and all five passengers were injured. Vehicle will most likely be totalled.
Was driving down a toll road, dear jumped in front of car hit the driver side front, car hit median, flipped, and rolled 3 times. Car is totaled. Air bags never deployed.
I purchased vehicle used mar. 1,2002. At 51000miles ibegan to have a leaking antifreeze problem (of dexcool) and I had waterpump replaced and then coolant thermostatabout aweek later for leaking..at about 53500 miles,presently,on about jan. 10,2003.I quit relieing on driving the 98 olds 88 and now this vehicle is at wally mccarthy's service
Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer because the check engine light came on. After having a dianostic test done repairs weres done to rectify the problem. Mechanic told the consumer that a recall was issued.