1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › Cutlass › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and MINI vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. the rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Seat belt may not sustain loads required by fmvss 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.
Remedy
Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).
Risk and remedy
Risk
Servo rod assembly could catch on engine components andresult in a stuck throttle with potential for a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.
The parking brake cable may be disconnected from the left rear brake caliper.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Parking brake cannot be properly applied and vehiclewill not meet the grade holding requirements of fmvss 105.
Remedy
Install a retainer on left rear caliper if cable IS not already retained with a cotter pin and adjust parking brake system.
Owner complaints
74 complaints5 involved a crash2 involved a fire2 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 mph the steering went out in the vehicle. the vehicle was pulled off the side of the road without incident. the vehicle was towed to independent repair shop and the rack and pinion was replaced. there IS a nhtsa recall, # 03v527000, regarding the…
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 mph the steering went out in the vehicle. the vehicle was pulled off the side of the road without incident. the vehicle was towed to independent repair shop and the rack and pinion was replaced. there IS a nhtsa recall, # 03v527000, regarding the steering rack and pinion. the vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it IS not included in the recall due to the vin. updated 03/22/06. *Jb
- Structure
Engine support failed (broke) while vehicle was in motion. impossible steering control, causing vehicle to leave roadway and rolled over 3 times, causing my daughter's death. also, I reported this devastating event shortly after it occurred and have been unable to obtain any response from any agency. *ak *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving the vehicle became fully engulfed in fire. *ph *nm
- Engine and engine cooling · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Suspension › Front
1988 oldsmobile cutlass- engine cradle and/or front suspensions broke causing loss of control. *la the claim was filed for the deceased consumer. the engine cradle fell. the vehicle was traveling on roadway and ran off the roadway into a ditch and began to roll approx. Three times coming to a rest upside down. the consumer was thrown from the vehicle 20 feet from the vehicle. *tc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Vehicle speed control
Brakes failed, and vehicle started to surge forward.*ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Consume rwas traveling about 60mph on highwayand without prior warning steering went out, and bolts that held steering column ,fell onto floor. dealership was aware of problem.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Fuel lines are rusting and will need to be replaced. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
1.) the drivers side door sags and the hinges are rusty. the door looks as though it will fall off at any time. the passenger door has already fallen off once, I have replaced the hinges. when it fell off, we were stopped, but it almost fell on my cousin's leg. 2.) the car does not start like…
1.) the drivers side door sags and the hinges are rusty. the door looks as though it will fall off at any time. the passenger door has already fallen off once, I have replaced the hinges. when it fell off, we were stopped, but it almost fell on my cousin's leg. 2.) the car does not start like normal. the vehicle will "turn over" but will not ignite. it usually takes three times to start it. 3.) when the vehicle IS in motion, it stutters and nearly stalls. I have spent $600 getting a new ignition moduel, fuel pump, prom chip, map sensor, wire set, fuel filter. it ran well for about 9 months and IS now having the same indications of the same problems.
- Suspension › Rear
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Structure
Cradle bolts failed prior to recall notice 97v-058, consumer request reimbursement. nlm
- Structure
Consumer lost control. Adjuster discovered that cradle bolts were corroded due to a defctive product. *ak
- Structure
Consumer lost control of vehicle, and car was totaled, no warning signs, an adjuster came and said that cradle bolts were corroded due to a defective product. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When consumer applies brakes pedal IS soft. brakes do not stop vehicle. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Consumer recieved manufacturer's recall o00065-s and took vehicle to dealer for repairs, dealer stated that the recall couldn't be done due to the recall component not being supported by the frame holes and frame, dealer informed consumer in order to do recall the entire frame assembly would need to be replaced at consumer's cost. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Engine shutdown/no power steering/dangerous situation /elderly driver !! This IS a continuous problem and the car has only 50K miles. Two fuel pumps and one module replaced since 1995. The fuel pumps replaced in a one year period. *ak
- Tires
I was driving on the interstate @ 70mph, when the tread on my tire separated. The tire did not go flat or blow completely out. I contacted the store where I bought the tire and was told it was not a tire defect. I still have the tire, for I felt with all the problems surronding firestone tires…
I was driving on the interstate @ 70mph, when the tread on my tire separated. The tire did not go flat or blow completely out. I contacted the store where I bought the tire and was told it was not a tire defect. I still have the tire, for I felt with all the problems surronding firestone tires, this might be another model that IS unsafe. I have photos of the damage to my car, I have been unable to get any response from firestone, as I wold like to submit a claim.( dot number: hyjk4055 tire size: 185-80-13 )
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving vehicle would just go dead. once going down a hill power went out and there were no brakes. but consumer mangaged to level car off. consumer has no control over the car. Vehicle would start right back up again. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Ecm prom had to be replaced 02/01/2000, and at that time we were informed that a service bulletin(88-t-147b) had been issued for this problem in the past. IS it possible for us to request reimbursement from the manufacturer for both the part and labor since we never received the original bulletin and this part had never previously been replaced?*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
With light braking the rear brakes locked up at speeds under 15mph. this happened twice, the second time resulting in a crash with vehicle being totaled. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
The rear calipers have locked up several times. they have both been replaced several times. the brakes go on fine, and stop the car great, but they do not release once the brake pedal IS released. the master cylinder and brake booster have also been replaced, as has the parking brake cable.…
The rear calipers have locked up several times. they have both been replaced several times. the brakes go on fine, and stop the car great, but they do not release once the brake pedal IS released. the master cylinder and brake booster have also been replaced, as has the parking brake cable. once they I locked, if I turn off the enging and wait for a few minutes, they will eventually release. I have taken the car to several shops, but they are unable to find the problem. this problem has resulted in fire twice, and smoke and totalled rotors on several occasions.
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing · Seat belts › Rear/other
Shoulder harness in the rear was added by consumer, however buckle fit at the childs chest area which IS a potential safety hazard. Mjs
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
When driving at any speed the vehicle IS stalling and cutting off due to the electrical wires under the dashboard melting. *Ak
- Structure › Frame and members
A piece of the chassis that IS connected to the sway bar broke off. also, the a-frame on the passenger's side ripped away from the chassis. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The distributor shaft seal has deteriorated, allowing oil to flow down the engine block and cover to the bottom of the car with oil. this has also happened to my parents 1991 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. when I went to my mechanic, he showed me a service form where he just fixed a 1992 olds…
The distributor shaft seal has deteriorated, allowing oil to flow down the engine block and cover to the bottom of the car with oil. this has also happened to my parents 1991 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. when I went to my mechanic, he showed me a service form where he just fixed a 1992 olds cutlass supreme 2 days ago for the exact same problem. it seems to me that if you allow oil to cover the bottom of your car, as well as exterior engine components, it may be a fire hazard. I plan on asking other owners with the 2.8 and 3.2 liter engines if they are having the same problem. thank you, dan harlett dan@carcorral.com. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Steering · Suspension › Front · Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly
Recall 97v058000, rear cradle bolts. The recall notice was received and dealer was contacted to remedy the problem. Dealer states various problems associated and caused by the rear cradle bolts, included right cv joint/ right front end alignment/ lower ball joints/weakstruts/ right and left tires in front/rear leaf spring broke from mount support. also, transmission failed. dealer cannot duplicate the problem. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine cradle separation
On april 1, 1997, general motors corporation filed a defect information report to recall the subject vehicles, registered in 14 high corrosion states, to replace the rear engine cradle bolts and retainers.the rear engine cradle bolts would either fracturer or pull through the retianers due to corrosion.as of september…
On april 1, 1997, general motors corporation filed a defect information report to recall the subject vehicles, registered in 14 high corrosion states, to replace the rear engine cradle bolts and retainers.the rear engine cradle bolts would either fracturer or pull through the retianers due to corrosion.as of september 1998, the sixth quarter, 59.3% of the subject vehicles had been repaired.in addition to the complaints of front engine cradle bolt failures in the above failure report summary, odi has received six reports of possible front engine cradle bolt failures, including two crashes.an rq IS warranted to determine the extent of failures of the front engine cradle bolts and retainers on the subject vehicles.
- Cradle bolt failures
There is no summary currently available
- Corroded rear disk brakes
There is no summary currently available
- Rear wheel bearings fail
There is no summary currently available
- Brake performance
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- Failure stop lamp switch
There is no summary currently available
- Parking brake cable
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- Throttle non-return
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 37954Rattling noise/engine overheating.
Every Oldsmobile Cutlass model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.