MYRModel Year Report

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass

▲ Better than typical
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:43:45.840Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
74
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

55% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 16 complaints 1985: 18 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1987: 16 complaints 1988: 74 complaints 1988 74 1989: 113 complaints 1990: 103 complaints 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1995: 156 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 16 complaints 1984 1985: 18 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1988: 74 complaints 1988 74 1989: 113 complaints 1990: 103 complaints 1990 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 16 complaints 1984 1985: 18 complaints 1985 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1987 1988: 74 complaints 1988 74 1989: 113 complaints 1989 1990: 103 complaints 1990 1991: 193 complaints 1991 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1993 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints 1999

1988: 74 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19813
19821
19835
198416
198518
198623
198716
198874
1989113
1990103
1991193
1992136
1993139
1994148
1995156
1996123
199796
1998155
199980

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

55% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

12% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASHDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass- engine cradle and/or front suspensions broke causing loss of control. *la the claim was filed for the deceased consumer. The engine cradle fell.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-19

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling and seat belts

Structure

12% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and hinge and attachments.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREDEATH

Electrical system

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1988-11-22Parking brake88V175000 The parking brake cable may be disconnected from the left rear brake caliper.

    Remedy: Install a retainer on left rear caliper if cable is not already retained with a cotter pin and adjust parking brake system.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1989-03-06CClosed 1990-01-16 Throttle non-return
  3. R
    1989-07-20Vehicle speed control89V102000 A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (Engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1989-07-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-22 Parking brake cable
  5. I
    1990-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-31 Failure stop lamp switch
  6. R
    1990-07-23Seat belts90V054000 Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.

    Remedy: Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1990-08-29Engineering analysisClosed 1992-03-30 Brake performance
  8. I
    1990-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Rear wheel bearings fail
  9. R
    1994-05-05Wheels94V041000 Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1994-08-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-21 Corroded rear disk brakes
  11. R
    1995-06-14Wheels95V115000 Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    1997-06-11Structure97V058000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    1997-10-02Recall queryOpen Cradle bolt failures
  14. I
    1999-03-04Recall queryOpen Engine cradle separation

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V175000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 89V102000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 90V054000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 94V041000 · Wheels
  • Recall 95V115000 · Wheels
  • Recall 97V058000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
6 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.