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1999 Oldsmobile 88Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 77 owner complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile 88, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year20% below the 88 median · #7 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7712 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage79kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 16, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 has problems

77 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 cooling306
Fuel system, gasoline100
Electrical system93
Power train80
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Steering40
Seat belts40
Structure30
Vehicle speed control30
9 other systems162

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

2 recalls

1999 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

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 99V-089 · Apr 26, 1999 · 99,333 vehicles

Risk. IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION.

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

1999 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Oldsmobile 88, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREEA07008 · closed May 1, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-118
  3. TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCERQ99007 · closed Feb 8, 2002
    Led to recall 99V-089
In owners' words

What 88 owners report

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

1999 OLDSMOBILE 88 PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED DUE TO HOT PIPE ROUTED NEAR IT (PER THE MECHANIC). THIS ALLOWED COOLANT AND OIL INTO THE ENGINE. ENGINE IS MAKING BAD CLANKING NOISE. COST TO REPLACE INTAKE, REPLACE PLUGS, NEW SENSOR WAS $1096. IT APPEARS FROM READING ARFC WEBSITE THAT THIS IS A…
Complaint 10359598 · Oct 7, 2010 · 171,000 miles
MY OLDSMOBILE 88 YEAR 1999 HAD ENGINE FAILURE IN 2005 WITH ONLY 59,930 MILES. THE UPPER PLEMUM DESINTEGRATED ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE CYLINDERS, LOCKING UP ENGINE. NO WARNING EXCEPT RAPID RAISE IN ENGINE TEMPERATURE ONLY ABOUT A MINUTE TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. *TR
Complaint 10310700 · Feb 15, 2010 · 59,930 miles
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL LEAK AND WHILE THERE THE MECHANIC ALSO CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVEL. IT WAS LOW. HE PRESSURE TESTED THE SYSTEM AND FOUND THE COOLANT CAP TO BE NOT SEALING PROPERLY. I PAID FOR MY REPAIRS AND LEFT. THE NEXT MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I…
Complaint 10230797 · Jun 12, 2008 · 92,320 miles

Own a 1999 88?

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