MYRModel Year Report

1999 Oldsmobile 88

● Typical for this model
1999 Oldsmobile 88
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:55:51.097Z

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
77
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

39% of complaints

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 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 1998: 164 complaints 1999: 77 complaints 1999 77 2000: 0 complaints
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 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 1999: 77 complaints 1999 77 2000: 0 complaints
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 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 77 2000: 0 complaints 2000

1999: 77 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

39% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and gasoline.

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, 2004-02-18

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-13

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, 2001-07-13

Fuel system, gasoline

14% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing delivery and fuel pump.

Electrical system

13% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and starter assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle's rear power window wire harness caught fire without warning. The cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-10

Owner tried to start car and there was a popping noise from under the hood. Vehicle would not start, and smoke came from under vehicle due to the engine catching on fire. Dealer has seen vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-01-21

Power train

10% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

Service brakes

10% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

INJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1999-05-25Power train99V089000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual valve/link assembly with a replacement manual valve/link kit, featuring a spring-type fastener.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1999-05-26Recall queryClosed 2002-02-08 Transmission shift lever sequence
  3. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
  4. R
    2004-06-30Fuel system, gasoline04V090000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2007-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-05-01 Engine compartment fire

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Oldsmobile 88 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V089000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V090000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

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 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 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.