1999 Oldsmobile 88

● Typical for this model

1999 Oldsmobile 88
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:45:40.139Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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

1999: 77 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	4
1982	3
1984	9
1985	7
1986	19
1987	18
1988	37
1989	27
1990	24
1991	16
1992	73
1993	74
1994	63
1995	117
1996	92
1997	101
1998	164
1999	77
2000	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH OUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, WHILE PULLING IN TO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD, AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EXPLODED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040218

THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COME FROM MOTOR/ AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD. *MR *SCC FIRE STARTED WHILE AT THE GAS STATION. *TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20030613

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND DISCOVERED A MOUSE HAS BUILT A NEST IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010713

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 6 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990525 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.

Campaign 99V089000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990526 — RQ (closed 20020208)

TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE

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

I 20070612 — EA (closed 20080501)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Oldsmobile 88 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 99V089000 (power train) has been completed.
Verify recall 04V090000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ● 1994 ● 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ◆ 1995 ◆ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Oldsmobile 88?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.