Oldsmobile / 88 / 1997
1997 Oldsmobile 88 problems
Owners have filed 129 complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile 88 with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 25.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 13.2%.
Complaints129
Crashes4
Fires21
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 25.6% · 33
Electrical system 13.2% · 17
Power train 10.1% · 13
Service brakes, hydraulic 9.3% · 12
Fuel system, gasoline 7.0% · 9
Visibility 7.0% · 9
Suspension 5.4% · 7
Seat belts 4.7% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 4 describe a crash, 21 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Oldsmobile 88 in this data, 1997 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 1998 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 62,657 miles.
In owners' own words
Misfiring, backfiring, stalling and coolant leaks due to leaking plastic intake manifold and gaskets. Dealer claims to have found no problems in sept. 2000. Kept having problems. Took to another repair shop and upper intake gasket was replaced, failed 2 weeks later and was replaced again. Leaks coolant onto floor. Can smell coolant in passenger compartment and garage where parked. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 20,500 miles
While driving 65 mph vehicle all of a sudden came to a stop. Owner did notice smoke coming from the vehicle. Fire department stated that the engine manifold leaked fuel onto the enigne, which started a fire. Fire was put out by the fire department. Vehicle has been totalled. *Ak referenced in ea02-030 Engine and engine cooling
While driving at any speed vehicle would cut off for no apparent reason. This would happen without any type of warning. Vehicle was taken to the dealership 4 times for this problem. Dealer was not able to locate what the problem was with the vehicle. *Ak Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…