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1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass SupremeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 22 owner complaints about the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, most often about the structure. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints224 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage169kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 7, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme has problems

22 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
Structure81
Service brakes, hydraulic50
Steering30
Suspension32
Engine and engine cooling20

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

1 recall

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 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

Structure

Recall 00V-189 · Jul 11, 2000 · 713,435 vehicles

Risk. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE…

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

1988 vs. every other Cutlass Supreme 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 Cutlass Supreme median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'94'95'96'97
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and the recalls they led to.

  1. W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILUREEA91055 · closed Aug 17, 1992
    No recall
  2. STICKING THROTTLEEA92024 · closed Jan 31, 1994
    No recall
  3. STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONPE91072 · closed Jul 8, 1991
    No recall
  4. STRUCTURERP01001 · closed Jun 13, 2002
    Led to recall 00V-189
In owners' words

What Cutlass Supreme owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I HAVE A 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. WHICH IS HAVING A FAILURE OF THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS AND THEY STATE THAT DUE TO VEHICLE AGE IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. YET I FOUND ON A GM WEBSITE FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS THIS INFORMATION. "THE…
Complaint 10038761 · Sep 12, 2003 · 168,925 miles
FRAME GOT CORRODED WHICH CAUSED FRONT END TO FALL WITH THE BUSHING, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE, BUT NOT WILLING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Complaint 873830 · Oct 25, 2000
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS HANGING AND THE HINGES ARE RUSTED. THIS FAILURE WAS RECALLED A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, BROUGHT IN TO DEALER, THEY CLAIMED DOOR ASSEMBLY WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. POWER WINDOW ON THIS DOOR HAS NOT WORKED SINCE PURCHASE. *AK *ML
Complaint 858564 · Mar 15, 2000

Own a 1988 Cutlass Supreme?

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