RoadVitals

1991 Oldsmobile 88

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Apr 22, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Oldsmobile 88, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes956.3%
  • Electrical212.5%
  • Fuel system16.3%
  • Seat belts16.3%
  • Transmission16.3%
  • Engine16.3%
  • Driver assistance16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V167000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

Sep 23, 1991
20,765 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
The risk: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
The remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA93011ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL LINE FAILURE

Opened May 3, 1993
Closed May 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 22, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE EXHIBITED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY CARBON BUILD-UP IN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10584216
Incident
Mar 22, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2003

RECALL 91V167000 CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE LEAVER ASSEMBLY: AT THE TIME OF VEHICLE INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEAVER WAS ON RECALL. THE LEAVER WAS RELEASING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WHEN ON AN INCLINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10051691
Incident
Dec 16, 2003
Mileage
115,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 16, 2000

THE FUEL TANK METER LINES WERE RUSTED CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK. *MJS

NHTSA ID
557713
Incident
Sep 28, 2000
Brakes
Filed Dec 15, 1999

THE LOCK TO THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SITTING THE BRAKE WILL RELEASE ON ITS OWN, AND SOMETIMES IT RELEASES SOON AS IT'S APPLIED. BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
854059
Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 1999
Crash reported

TWO BRAKE FAILURES ON HIGHWAY, ONCE RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ID
705913
Incident
Apr 20, 1999
Brakes
Filed Sep 2, 1998

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND WENT TO APPLY FOR THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONSUMER CRACKED ONE OF THE BRAKE SHOES. *AK

NHTSA ID
827503
Incident
Jul 7, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jul 31, 1998

ENGINE IGNITION WIRES BETWEEN FUEL INJECTORS AND ENGINE CONTROL UNIT ON COMPUTER, ONE WIRE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA ID
539079
Electrical
Filed Apr 25, 1998

ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.

NHTSA ID
534773
Incident
Oct 1, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

831704

STRUCTURE:BODY

CONCERNS OF DOOR HANDLES ON WHITE PAINTED VEHICLES TRUNING YELLOW. *YC

731608

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF ELECTROCHROMIC INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile 88 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000001—
1999772360.1
19981641151.5
19971010146.3
1996922156.8
19951171046.5
1994631041.0
1993741154.5
1992731560.1
1991Viewing162157.7
1990242049.6
1989272053.9
1988370453.6
1987182870.9
1986191849.9
1985722—
1984932—
1982310—
1981400—
1980020—
1979230—
1978020—
1977120—
1976210—
1975020—
1974010—
1972130—
1971020—
1968030—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.