1999 Oldsmobile 88: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1999 Oldsmobile 88. The contact stated that while reversing out of a driveway, the front end of the vehicle lowered without warning. Due to the failure, the contact lost power steering assist as the steering wheel would spin with no control. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired for the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,300.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2022
“Body is broken where the front sub-frame bolts to. Customer was told that there is permanent body damage to the body frame. They then sold the vehicle undisclosed the fact that the vehicle is too damaged to drive on the road safely.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2019
“We bought this car in december, 2012 and there was no recall on the carfax report at that time. Today, there is a recall # 1999011 dated 3/13/1999 for power train (transmission 4t65e manual valve link replacement) NHTSA 99v089000. This owner nor the previous owner did not receive any kind of notice for this recall. Was the service performed? What happened? Thank you & have a great day !!! *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tried to start car to go to work in the morning of 6-16-14. Heard loud boom and smoke started pouring out from under hood. Opened hood and engine was on fire. Extinguished flames and found the intake mainifold had litterally blown apart. There was a recall that should have dealt with this problem. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2014
“Vehicle will randomly "kill" and it happens sporadically - also possibly something in the electrical system is failing - many different issues with reference to electrical problems. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile 88. The contact stated that while traveling 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated as the engine overheated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed that the failure was caused by a hole that had melted in the intake manifold, causing coolant to leak into the manifold. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 72,602 and the current mileage was 73,102.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2012
“1999 oldsmobile 88 plastic intake manifold cracked due to hot pipe routed near it (per the mechanic). This allowed coolant and oil into the engine. Engine is making bad clanking noise. Cost to replace intake, replace plugs, new sensor was $1096. It appears from reading arfc website that this is a common problem and manufacturers defect. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2010
“On occasional hard acceleration the vehicle shudders and does not accelerate. This has caused safety concerns when merging with traffic. It can also shudder at part throttle but that's more of an annoyance than safety issue. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile 88. While driving 10 mph, the steering became very loose and the contact lost control. He managed to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that there was a sheared bolt between the rack and pinion and the subframe. The vehicle is currently being repaired at the cost of $750. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2009
“After fuel regulator replaced for recall my olds delta 88 stalls out, failing to restart. I have had it towed four times. Have had fuel pump and filter changed twice - did not solve problem. It stalls while driving, upon initial starting and at stops. This problem is "periodic" and mechanic has been unable to determine problem. Engine runs very rough, and then fails to start. Had fuel tank drained 3 times no solution yet! *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETAINING CLIP, WHICH SECURES THE MANUAL VALVE TO THE LINKAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETENT LEVER, CAN BECOME LOOSE UNDER A COMBINATION OF POSSIBLE DRIVER SHIFTING MANEUVERS AND ALLOW THE LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE MANUAL VALVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.
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 decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Oldsmobile 88. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Oldsmobile 88 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,280 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery. 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.