Oldsmobile / 88 / 1998
1998 Oldsmobile 88 problems
Owners have filed 213 complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile 88 with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 40.8% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 10.3%.
Complaints213
Crashes10
Fires19
Injuries11
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 40.8% · 87
Service brakes, hydraulic 10.3% · 22
Electrical system 8.0% · 17
Fuel system, gasoline 7.5% · 16
Power train 4.7% · 10
Vehicle speed control 4.2% · 9
Unknown or other 4.2% · 9
Engine 2.8% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 10 describe a crash, 19 describe a fire and 11 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Oldsmobile 88 in this data, 1998 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 65,580 miles.
In owners' own words
While driving,\ the check engine light flashed on the dashboard and remained on. Then, the vehicle stalled. Driver was unable to restart vehicle. Noticed that coolant leaked from underneath the vehicle. It was towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the intake manifold needed replacement. Driver informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once ,and has not been resolved. Engine and engine cooling
While the vehicle was parked, the consumer noticed that a liquid was leaking from underneath the vehicle. Also, while applying the brakes the pedal did not go to the floor. The braking power was less than normal. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the oil pan gasket and front brake pads needed to be replaced. *Ak *er Engine and engine cooling
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 Engine and engine cooling · reported at 53,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…