Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic34
- Structure9
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Suspension8
- Parking brake6
- Electrical system6
- Steering5
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Power train3
- Seat belts3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).
THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER.
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 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 37954 | RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL
BRAKE PERFORMANCE
FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH
PARKING BRAKE CABLE
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation