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1995 Oldsmobile 88: problems, recalls and reliability

1 recall and 117 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (17% of complaints); the 1993 and 1994 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 1994

1
recalls
117
owner complaints
5
fire reports
136,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Problems tend to appear late (median 136,000 mi)One of the most complained-about 88 years (#2 of 10, age-adjusted)5 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)17% · 19 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)17% · 19 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)11% · 12 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)11% · 12 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)10% · 11 complaints
Seat Belts7% · 8 complaints
I was driving about 50 mph on the highway in a decent rain storm with a buddy of mine. All of the sudden boom the passenger air bag went off! Very frightening. The windshield shattered, the glove compartment is permanently open. Unknown cause.Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 oldsmobile 88. While driving at 10 mph, the front driver side air bags deployed without warning. The contact was injured and required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000. The VIN was not available.Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
I started smelling fuel, as the week progressed the smell grew intensely unbearable, before taking my kids to school one day I decided let me take a look under the hood after all this is gasoline we are taking about. So I saw that the fuel line to the fuel rail was a little wet so I turned on my car and a mist of gas was spraying out the hose. I never realized how much of a risk I was putting my kids in by driving with that fuel smell. There should be a recall on that, its not safe.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
I was driving down highway 95 in manning so. Carolina and all of a sudden I heard this big bang and saw my windshield smashed and then noticed the airbag on the passenger side deployed! I didn't hit anything nor anything hit me nor hit any bumps! I was traveling from maine to florida. *trOwner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 oldsmobile delta 88. The contact stated while driving 2 mph, both of the front air bags deployed independently. The contact had not been involved in a crash nor was there any type of impact made to the vehicle. The contact was not injured from the deployment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 162,000.Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2013
1995 oldsmobile delta 88. Consumer writes in regards to defective sensor light problems. *smd the consumer stated he spent hundreds of dollars, even thousands to try and fix the problem, but to no avail. The defective sensor light, caused him to have an accident in december 2012. The engine light, has been on for five years.Owner report · Engine · Dec 2012
A tragic accident fortunately did not occur. The engine cradle subframe mounting washers on both sides rusted through. My mother (75 years old) was driving the vehicle while turning. The engine cradle dropped down preventing her to steer the vehicle. Had there been another vehicle close she would have driven directly into it. She was extremely scared and shaken. This is such a small item that is potentially dangerous especially at normal driving speed. This should have been fixed by gm or we should have been notified of a potential accident. This does not appear to be a single vehicle problem. Thank you. *trOwner report · Suspension · Oct 2011
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 oldsmobile 88. While driving 20 mph, the bushings holding the front k-member subframe all failed at once, which caused the k subframe to drop out of position. The steering locked. The wheel remained in a neutral position until the contact pulled it back. He drove to the dealer and they stated that they were ordering the parts to repair the failure. No recalls were found for that model vehicle. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 183,000.Owner report · Structure · Apr 2008
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 oldsmobile lss. While driving approximately 25 mph, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The dealer discovered that the air bag deployed due to corrosion on a sensor underneath the seat. There were no injuries, deaths, or a police report. The current and failure mileages were 147,000.Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2008
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 30 mph, the passenger airbag deployed without incident. When the vehicle was pulled over, the driver side airbag deployed. The vehicle was driven to the residence however the vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic.Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2006

When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 1 campaign

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH94V138000 · Aug 1994

A SPRING IN THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE HEAD PARK LAMP SWITCH CAN FAIL PREVENTING LATCHING OF THE HEAD LAMP PORTION OF THE SWITCH IN THE "ON" POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT HEAD/PARK LAMP SWITCH BUILD DATE CODES AND REPLACE SWITCHES WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES.

How other years compare

Check your exact 88 by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1995 Oldsmobile 88 reliable?

NHTSA has 117 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1995 Oldsmobile 88. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (17% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1995 Oldsmobile 88 problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 136,000 miles or less.

Does the 1995 Oldsmobile 88 have open recalls?

1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.