Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Oldsmobile 88, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling76
- Service brakes, hydraulic18
- Fuel system, gasoline16
- Electrical system15
- Power train10
- Unknown or other9
- Vehicle speed control7
- Air bags6
- Engine6
- Structure5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Oldsmobile told its dealers about the 1998 Oldsmobile 88: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635006 | INFORMATION ON SERVICING 4T65-E TRANSAXLE SPACER PLATE AND GASKETS FOR VARIOUS MODELS FROM 1997 THROUGH 2002. *TT |
| 634997 | INFORMATION ON SERVICING 4T65E TRANSAXLE SPACER PLATE AND GASKETS. *TT |
| 634985 | CONCERNS WITH SLIPS, HARSH UPSHIFT OR GARAGE SHIFTS, LAUNCH SHUDDERS, FLARES, ERRATIC SHIFTS AND INTERMITTENT CONCERNS, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1811 OR P0748 SET. *TT |
| 634813 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT |
| 628928 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. *TT UPDATED *EH |
| 620835 | EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION, OR AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK NEAR OR UNDER THE THROTTLE BODY AREA OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TT |
| 619177 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT |
| 619176 | ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION OR COOLANT LEAK (INSPECT FOR MATERIAL DEGRADATION/REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLDS) *TT UPDATED 11/02/07 *NJ |
| 6088955 | SUBJECT REGARDING LOW POWER / STUMBLE WHEN ACCELERATING IN TURNS OR STRAIGHT LINE. *TT |
| 608390 | SUBJECT ON ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS. *MJS |
| 607351 | VEHICLES WITH HYDRA-MATIC TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT VEHICLE SHUDDER WHEN REAPPLYING THROTTLE (GREATER THAN 50%) AFTER STOPPING. *TT |
| 606218 | CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL LABELS. THE EMISSION CONTROL (TUNE-UP) LABELS HAVE AN INCORRECT EMISSION VACUUM HOSE ROUTING SCHEMATIC. *TT |
| 606063 | PRODUCT EMISSION CAMPAIGN REGARDING VEHICLES WITH AN INCORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL LABEL. *TT |
| 602983 | CONCERNS OF DOOR HANDLES ON WHITE PAINTED VEHICLES TRUNING YELLOW. *YC |
| 602751 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE |
| 601394 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE CUPHOLDER DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. *YC |
| 601121 | CONDITION REGARDING THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS DURING A CLOSED THROTTLE DECELERATION FROM ABOUT 35 MPH. *YC |
| 600214 | COMMENTS THAT THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, HAS LACK OF POWER, HAS A KNOCK NOISE, AND/OR THE MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT) IS ILLUMINATED. *YC |
| 600193 | INFORMATION ON SPARK PLUG TIP EROSION CALIBRATION PCM REFLASH. *YC |
| 54065 | COMMENTS ON INOPERATIVE POWER DOOR LOCKS (FRONT AND/OR REAR DOORS). |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10170494 | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock. |
| 10137901 | This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle. |
| 10017568 | INTERMITTENT CHUGGLE OR FISHBITE ON LIGHT ACCELERATION OR A HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation