NHTSA vehicle safety data
1998 Oldsmobile 88 Recalls & Complaints
The 1998 Oldsmobile 88 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 164 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Oldsmobile dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Oldsmobile 88. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1998 Oldsmobile 88 owner complaints
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Oldsmobile 88, describing incidents dated November 26, 1997 to January 31, 2018.
Most-cited components
- Engine 82 complaints
- Service Brakes 20 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 19 complaints
- Electrical System 15 complaints
- Power Train 9 complaints
- Unknown or Other 9 complaints
Of the 164 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 13 a fire; across all 164 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11066173 · Filed
IGNITION IS MESSED UP THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THERE IS A RECALL BUT NEVER SHOW ME PAPERS AND I WAS WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ONE
ODI #10915750 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE APPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED OIL ON THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY…
ODI #10911055 · Filed
ENGINE USING COOLANT BUT NO EVIDENT LEAK. AFTER A WEEK OF ADDING A LITTLE COOLANT TO RESERVOIR ENGINE RAN HOT AND HYDRO-LOCKED DUE TO CYLINDERS FLOODED WITH COOLANT. DISCOVERED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD HOLE IN IT WHERE THE EGR TUBE ENTERED PLASTIC MANIFOLD ALLOWING COOLANT TO FLOOD INTAKE. THIS…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Oldsmobile 88 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA02-030: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed March 9, 2004
GM/FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR
NHTSA #04V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery · NHTSA notice
Reported February 24, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Potentially affected: 910,873 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 03054B · Owners notified June 30, 2004 · Vehicles built March 1, 1997 – August 31, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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 TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Safety consequence
THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Manufacturer 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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Notes
GM RECALL NO. 03054B.SEE CAMPAIGN 03V-473 FOR ADDITIONAL UNITS.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Oldsmobile 88 model years
Check your 1998 Oldsmobile 88 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Oldsmobile 88 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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