Oldsmobile / 88 / 1999
1999 Oldsmobile 88 problems
Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 32.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 10.4%.
Complaints106
Crashes0
Fires14
Injuries1
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 32.1% · 34
Fuel system, gasoline 10.4% · 11
Electrical system 9.4% · 10
Power train 7.5% · 8
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.5% · 8
Steering 4.7% · 5
Seat belts 4.7% · 5
Structure 2.8% · 3
Severity
Of those complaints, 14 describe a fire and 1 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Oldsmobile 88 in this data, 1999 draws comparatively few complaints; 1998 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 4 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 67,280 miles.
In owners' own words
I have a 1999 Oldsmobile 88 bought it in september 2003 then in march 04 the engine blew due to loss of coolant. There was no indication that it lost coolant. Now a year later, march 2005, the engine lost it's coolant again and needs to be replaced . The car never went over safe temperature. Called gm when it happened the first time. No help at all. I think there must be aproblem with these engines. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 61,000 miles
1999 Oldsmobile 88 plastic intake manifold cracked due to hot pipe routed near it (per the mechanic). This allowed coolant and oil into the engine. Engine is making bad clanking noise. Cost to replace intake, replace plugs, new sensor was $1096. It appears from reading arfc website that this is a common problem and manufacturers defect. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 171,000 miles
1) Rough idle when stopping car. Upon restart,strange noise from engine. Would not restart. 2) Smoke from starter. Engine locked up. Water loss from radiator. Cracked manifold. 3) Replaced upper intake manifold & gasket. Cleaned lower intake. Replaced spark plugs & wires. Changed oil, oil filter, & replaced starter. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 118,295 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…