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1996 Oldsmobile 88Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 92 owner complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile 88, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the 88 median · #5 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints9218 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage104kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 10, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Oldsmobile 88 has problems

92 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling232
Electrical system113
Air bags104
Fuel system, gasoline92
Structure61
Service brakes, hydraulic62
Tires60
Power train50
Vehicle speed control42
14 other systems264

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Oldsmobile 88 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Recall 96V-116 · Jul 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Anti-theft: control module

Recall 95V-204 · Oct 23, 1995 · 32,869 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other 88 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 88 median. How we score

'67'68'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Oldsmobile 88, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
In owners' words

What 88 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY CAR WAS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS STARTING AND STAYING STARTED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BACK FIRE AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. WE CHECKED THE PLUGS AND ALSO TESTED TO SEE IF WAS GETTING FUEL. YES, THE PLUGS WERE FINE, AND IT WAS GETTING FUEL. I THEN TOOK OFF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE HAD THAT TESTED AND…
Complaint 10189276 · Apr 30, 2007
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE NEAR THE SIDE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.
Complaint 10176153 · Dec 14, 2006 · 148,000 miles
VEHICLE IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE OUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK
Complaint 10110931 · Feb 7, 2005

Own a 1996 88?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.