Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 63 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Oldsmobile 88, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 24 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | 3 | 3 |
| Apr 1995 | 1 | 4 |
| May 1995 | 1 | 5 |
| Jun 1995 | 1 | 6 |
| Sep 1995 | 1 | 7 |
| Dec 1995 | 1 | 8 |
| Apr 1996 | 1 | 9 |
| May 1996 | 1 | 10 |
| Jun 1996 | 2 | 12 |
| Sep 1996 | 1 | 13 |
| Oct 1996 | 1 | 14 |
| Dec 1996 | 1 | 15 |
| Jan 1997 | 2 | 17 |
| Mar 1997 | 1 | 18 |
| Aug 1997 | 2 | 20 |
| Oct 1997 | 3 | 23 |
| Nov 1997 | 1 | 24 |
| Dec 1997 | 2 | 26 |
| Feb 1998 | 1 | 27 |
| Mar 1998 | 1 | 28 |
| Apr 1998 | 1 | 29 |
| May 1998 | 1 | 30 |
| Jun 1998 | 1 | 31 |
| Jul 1998 | 1 | 32 |
| Nov 1998 | 3 | 35 |
| Feb 1999 | 1 | 36 |
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 37 |
| Jul 1999 | 1 | 38 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 39 |
| Sep 1999 | 1 | 40 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 41 |
| Dec 1999 | 1 | 42 |
| Jan 2000 | 3 | 45 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 46 |
| Jun 2000 | 2 | 48 |
| Jul 2000 | 1 | 49 |
| Aug 2000 | 3 | 52 |
| Jan 2001 | 1 | 53 |
| Mar 2001 | 1 | 54 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 55 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 56 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 57 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 58 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 59 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 60 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 61 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 62 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 63 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
1 campaign 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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 OLDSMOBILE 88 ROYALE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SUDDENLY REAR ENDED. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS FELL BACKWARDS AND THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE SEATS DETACHED. AS A RESULT, THE SEATS DISENGAGED FROM THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEG, KNEE, HEAD, SHOULDER, ARM, AND HAND. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, KNEES, AND RIBS. BOTH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE. *JS VIN INVALID UPDATED 7/11/18*JB *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1994 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE CRADLE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED BY RUST CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO DISCONNECT FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE RUST ON THE BOLTS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN TO DUE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUST WAS CAUSED BY SALT BUILD UP DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
THE HOOD ON A 1994 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 WAS LIFTED TO CHECK BATTERY AND BOTH GAS FILLED STRUTS DESIGNED TO KEEP THE HOOD UP SUDDENLY FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN THE HOOD FALLING AND TRAPPING MY RIGHT WRIST AND HAND. LACERATION WAS INFLICTED ALONG WITH RADIAL AND/OR ULNAR NERVE DAMAGE. *TR
1994 OLDS 88 HAS TO BE SOLD FOR SALVAGE DUE TO THE FRAME RUSTING AND CRACKS HAVE BEEN FORMED IN THE FRAME. THE CAR HAS BEEN STORED INSIDE A GARAGE 10 OUT OF THE 12 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (2 OWNERS)*JB
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
I RECEIVED A PRICE QUOTE FROM A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP OF $2500 TO REPAINT THE CAR. THE BODYSHOP MGR. TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROLEM WITH GM PAINT FROM 1985 TO 1995. I CALLED GM CANADA AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION REGARDING MY COMPLAINT. SO I AM LODGING THIS INFO WITH YOUR WEBSITE.
FINISH COAT AND CLEAR COAT BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF IN FLAKES ON RIGHT REAR DOOR AND LEAVING THE PRIMER IN TACT. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR OLDSMOBILE AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE TOO OLD TO CLAIM MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT NO DOUBT THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *LA
REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE AND WILL NOT RETRACT. DEALER WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. *AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT
STRUCTURE:BODY
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS CORROSION ( RUST ) APPEARING ON THE LEFT AND /OR RIGHT ROCKER PANEL(S). *YC
STRUCTURE:BODY
CONCERNS OF DOOR HANDLES ON WHITE PAINTED VEHICLES TRUNING YELLOW. *YC
SUSPENSION
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1999 | 77 | 2 | 3 | 60.1 |
| 1998 | 164 | 1 | 1 | 51.5 |
| 1997 | 101 | 0 | 1 | 46.3 |
| 1996 | 92 | 2 | 1 | 56.8 |
| 1995 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 46.5 |
| 1994Viewing | 63 | 1 | 0 | 41.0 |
| 1993 | 74 | 1 | 1 | 54.5 |
| 1992 | 73 | 1 | 5 | 60.1 |
| 1991 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 57.7 |
| 1990 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 49.6 |
| 1989 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 1988 | 37 | 0 | 4 | 53.6 |
| 1987 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 70.9 |
| 1986 | 19 | 1 | 8 | 49.9 |
| 1985 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1984 | 9 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 1982 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.