1998 Oldsmobile 88: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
145 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
69,080 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 62 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 145 complaints (10.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 14.5% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 12.4% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 5.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 6 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 14; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 11; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 23 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 83 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2003 | 32 |
| 2004 | 30 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 19; 2002: 23; 2003: 32; 2004: 30; 2005: 11; 2007: 6; 2009: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 18 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003438 · 2003-01-26 (January 26, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 53,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009565 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011260 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED WHICH RESULTED IN COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE PROBLEM CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE, STARTER AND FLYWHEEL.*JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011955 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012373 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
WHITE SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE SLEEVE WHICH SEALED THE EXHAUST GAS AS IT ENTERED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED. *MR...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013729 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT AND ALREADY HAS AN INTERNAL LEAK OF RADIATOR FLUID. THERE HAS BEEN NO LEAKAGE UNDER THE CAR FROM ANY HOSES OR COMPONENTS. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS GONE ON NOW AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR DOWN FOR REPAIR AND THEY STATE THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED CAUSING THE FLUID TO BE SUCKED OUT OF THE RADIATOR SYSTEM AND EVAPORATED THROUGH THE ENGINE. MY CAR HAS NOT CAUGHT FIRE, BUT ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE, I SEE THAT MY CAR IS IN DANGER OF HAVING THAT HAPPEN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016366 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
ANTI- LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES RESULTING IN ONE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING CAN BE FOUND WITH WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016369 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES. 1ST TIME WAS 01-10-03. 2ND TIME WAS 04-11-03 AND 3RD TIME WAS 04-21-03. IST TIME RESULTED IN ACCIDENT AND LAST 2 TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF HIGHWAY BEFORE REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WILL ENTER THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016369 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
Reported: 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
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.
Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗