MYRModel Year Report

1990 Oldsmobile 88

○ Not enough data
1990 Oldsmobile 88
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:55:14.064Z

Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
24

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 4 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1984: 9 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 40 complaints 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 24 complaints 1990 24 1991: 16 complaints 1992: 74 complaints 1993: 74 complaints 1994: 63 complaints 1994 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 101 complaints 1997 1998: 164 complaints 1999: 77 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000
1981: 4 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1984: 9 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 19 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 40 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 24 complaints 1990 24 1991: 16 complaints 1992: 74 complaints 1992 1993: 74 complaints 1994: 63 complaints 1994 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 101 complaints 1998: 164 complaints 1998 1999: 77 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000
1981: 4 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1984: 9 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 40 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1989 1990: 24 complaints 1990 24 1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 74 complaints 1992 1993: 74 complaints 1993 1994: 63 complaints 1994 1995: 117 complaints 1995 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 101 complaints 1997 1998: 164 complaints 1998 1999: 77 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2000

1990: 24 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19814
19823
19849
19857
198619
198718
198840
198927
199024
199116
199274
199374
199463
1995117
199692
1997101
1998164
199977
20000

Known problem areas

Only 24 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Engine and engine cooling

5 of 24 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and catalytic convertor.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle undercarriage caught fire, while driving the vehicle, possibly caused by the catalytic converter. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-11-29

Electrical system

4 of 24 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing module and alternator/generator/regulator.

Service brakes

4 of 24 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Seat belts

3 of 24 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

Show complaint excerpts

Dt: 1990 Oldsmobile delta 88. The contact stated the driver's side seat belt does not stay closed. The contact called Oldsmobile, and they stated seat belts would not get fixed because it was not under warranty.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-10-13

Structure

2 of 24 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing hinge and attachments and hood.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-12-07Air bags90E043004 Threaded inflator components may have been damaged during assembly which may allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.

    Remedy: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1991-03-21Exterior lighting91V034000 Cars were built missing a wire between the digital cluster and the dimmer control, thereby failing to provide at least two levels of lighting.

    Remedy: Rewire connection between the dimmer switch and the digital cluster.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Oldsmobile 88 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90E043004 · Air bags
  • Recall 91V034000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Oldsmobile 88 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Oldsmobile 88?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Oldsmobile 88 have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.