1988 Oldsmobile CUTLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
56 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 56 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 48.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 4 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Suspension:Front | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 4; Structure: 4; Suspension:Front: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 53 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 32 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 32; 1996: 5; 2000: 8; 2001: 6; 2002: 1; 2004: 3; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 482140 · 1995-03-12 (March 12, 1995)
ROTORS CORRODED/CALIPERS FRACTURED/ LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489004 · 1995-04-02 (April 2, 1995)
REAR DISC BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088977 · 2004-09-17 (September 17, 2004)
ENGINE SUPPORT FAILED (BROKE) WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IMPOSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LEAVE ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES, CAUSING MY DAUGHTER'S DEATH. ALSO, I REPORTED THIS DEVASTATING EVENT SHORTLY AFTER IT OCCURRED AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY RESPONSE FROM ANY AGENCY. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151667 · 2006-03-02 (March 2, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484540 · 1995-07-28 (July 28, 1995)
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968544 · 1995-07-11 (July 11, 1995)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO GEARS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741199 · 2001-02-20 (February 20, 2001)
1.) THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SAGS AND THE HINGES ARE RUSTY. THE DOOR LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS ALREADY FALLEN OFF ONCE, I HAVE REPLACED THE HINGES. WHEN IT FELL OFF, WE WERE STOPPED, BUT IT ALMOST FELL ON MY COUSIN'S LEG. 2.) THE CAR DOES NOT START LIKE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WILL "TURN OVER" BUT WILL NOT IGNITE. IT USUALLY TAKES THREE TIMES TO START IT. 3.) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT STUTTERS AND NEARLY STALLS. I HAVE SPENT $600 GETTING A NEW IGNITION MODUEL, FUEL PUMP, PROM CHIP, MAP SENS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960482 · 1995-02-23 (February 23, 1995)
TRAVELING NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED ENGINE STALLED DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960482 at NHTSA ↗