MYRModel Year Report

1998 Oldsmobile 88

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Oldsmobile 88
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:38:10.155Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Oldsmobile 88 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1981: 4 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1984: 9 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 40 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 24 complaints 1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 74 complaints 1993: 74 complaints 1994: 63 complaints 1994 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 101 complaints 1997 1998: 164 complaints 1998 1999: 77 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000
1998: 164 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 48%

48% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 79 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing delivery and carburetor system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED. *MR *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030611

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 164
I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20040630 — fuel system, gasoline

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 T

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.

Campaign 04V090000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Oldsmobile 88 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (79 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V090000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ● 1994 ● 1993

WORST YEARS

◆ 1995 ◆ 1997 ● 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Oldsmobile 88 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Oldsmobile 88 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Oldsmobile 88?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile 88 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.