Steering assistance concerns
6 mentions · 16.2% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\bU.S. public vehicle records
1988 Oldsmobile 88 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 37 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 32.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 4 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 4; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Tires: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 13; 1996: 8; 1997: 7; 1998: 2; 1999: 3; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 500912 · 1996-01-24 (January 24, 1996)
COLD POWER STEERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503424 · 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
POWER STEERING RACK & PINION FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 538645 · 1998-07-31 (July 31, 1998)
IGNITION MODULE AND CRANK SENSOR FAILED CAUSING STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 538645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8018239 · 2002-09-09 (September 9, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND IF TEST REGISTERS A HALF OF TANK OF GASOLINE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND SHUTDOWN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8018239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861186 · 2000-05-01 (May 1, 2000)
RACK & PINION STEERING WOULD LOCK UP IF VEHICLE SATTOO LONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD OR HOT. ALSO, BRAKE PADS WORE OUT THE ROTORS. PADS WERE HARDER THAN THE ROTORS. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS OF RACK & PINION STEERING, AND EACH TIME MECHANIC REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961787 · 1995-03-13 (March 13, 1995)
PIN THAT HOLDS BRAKE SHOE TO PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY C CLIP COMES OFF PIN AND PIN FALLS OUT. DESTROYING BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972525 · 1995-09-27 (September 27, 1995)
STEERING WHEEL SMOKE UNDER THE DASH, ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE TURN SIGNAL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972525 at NHTSA ↗
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
37 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
0.0%Usable mileage0 / 37 records
64.9%Valid incident date24 / 37 records
100.0%Valid filing date37 / 37 records
64.9%Ordered incident and filing dates24 / 37 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 210.5% | 211.1% | 25.4%ODI 513154VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITH THE LAST OCCURRANCE RESULTING IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED VEHICLE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 28.3%ODI 725799HOOD STRUTS FAIL TO HOLD ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER, ENGINE TENDS TO STALL ON RIGHT-TURN HIGHWAY ON-RAMPS OR SHARP RIGHT TURNS WITH 5 GALLONS OR LESS IN THE TANK, (ORIGINAL) SILVER PAINT IS PEELING BADLY FROM ENGINE HOOD AND BEGINNING NOW ON ROOF AS WELL. *AK | 16.3% | 68.2%ODI 549653THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE 20 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. YH | 68.1% | 69.5%ODI 548281VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ENGINE FAILURE CONTINUALLY, REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND PLENIUM (WHICH WAS WARPED AND ALLOWING COOLANT TO SHORT OUT THE SENBSOR) DID NOT RECTIFY FAILURE. MJSD | 1311.1% | 77.6% | 1110.9%ODI 6900509INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED, FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 49-3290-805. *SLC | 148.5%ODI 10025571 · 73,000 miIN FEBRUARY I WENT TO START MY ENGINE IN THE MORNING AND IT BLEW UP. I TURNED THE KEY, NO ENGINE TURNOVER BUT SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES CAME OUT. THE FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT THE FIRE AND SAID THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. SOME OF THE VINYL SIDING ON MY HOUSE WAS SLIGHTLY MELTED.*AK | 810.4%ODI 100325631999 OLDS, DELTA 88 - STARTS HARD, ENGINE DIES [HOT AND COLD] IN MOTION [LOWER SPEEDS] AND STOPPING AT LIGHTS. FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND STRAINER REPLACED. FUEL PRESSURE NOW IN SPEC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ON AND NO CODES PRESENT. PROBLEM CONTINUES [LAST 20 DAYS]. *NLM |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 28.3%ODI 971115ABS, BRAKE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. TT | 16.3%ODI 809126WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED MALFUNCTION IN ABS WHEN WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AND STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY, ONLY HYDRAULIC BRAKES STOPPED VEHICLE, ABS IS INOPERATIVE. *AK | 1115.1%ODI 501169BRAKE FLUID LOW SHORTLY AFTER BEING FILLED, NO APPARENT LEAKS. *DSH | 1216.2% | 812.7% | 76.0% | 33.3%ODI 770519APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, BRAKES MADE A THUNKING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED EXCESSIVELY, ABS LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED. TOOK TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY FOUND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE TO BE FAULTY. REPLACED MODULE AND PAID FOR REPAIR. ENGINE PROBLEM STARTED CAR, SLIGHT BACKFIRE OCCURED, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAR ROUGH IDLED, HAD SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY FOUND THE UPPER INTAKE CRACKED ALONG WITH THE LOWER INTAKE AND GASKETS TO BE CRACKED. REPLACED AT COST … | 33.0% | 106.1%ODI 10016366 · 60,500 miANTI- LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES RESULTING IN ONE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING CAN BE FOUND WITH WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. *JB | 45.2% |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.7%ODI 975053POOR PERFORMANCE ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHEN CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. TT | 13.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1115.1% | 68.1%ODI 10002431CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-53 MPH. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 108.5%ODI 10041970 · 160,000 miWHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED OUT FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS AND WAS BURNED. *SCC *JB | 55.4%ODI 10149917 · 150,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BUSTED DUE TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. UPDATED 03/03/06. *JB | 33.0%ODI 10221204 · 64,000 miAIR BAGS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. VERY MINOR FENDER BENDER NO DAMAGE TO OTHER CAR. SMALL FIST SIZE DENT TO THE CAR IN QUESTION. NOTED FROM COP ON SEEN, SPEED WAS LESS THAN 10 MPH. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND TOTALED INSIDE OF CAR. SENT 2 PERSONS TO HOSPITAL. *TR | 53.0%ODI 720534MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE 88LS HIT A DEER ON 11/05/1999 AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NOURSE DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP ON 11/07/1999 FOR REPAIRS. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS NO REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THIS VEHICLE AND THEY CANNOT EVEN SAY THAT THEY WILL HAVE THEM BY JULY. MY CAR IS JUST SITTING THERE! ISN'T THIS A VIOLATION OF US CODE: TITLE 49, SECTION 30127 ? HELP! I PAID OVER $20,000.00 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I AND MY WIFE NEED IT DESPERATELY BUT IT HAS BEEN NEARLY FIVE MONTHS ALREADY AND NO REAL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.4%ODI 10004520UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED, CAUSING GASKET FAILURE, AND ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. TS.....*AK | 11.6%ODI 739097THE INTAKE IS PLASTIC AND THE EGR TUBE SREWS DIRECTLY INTO IT,THUS CAUSING THE INTAKE TO MELT AND DISTORT CAUSE YOUR COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINES CYLINDER WALLS.WHICH ANTIFREEZE HAS SUGARS IN IT THUS CAUSEING THE ENGINE TO BURN UP.HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND THEY ALL SAY THAT IT HAPPENS TO ALL THE CARS WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE.THOUGH THEY DO NOT WANT TO ADMIT IT IS A FACTORY PRODUCTION MESS UP.YOU CANT MIX A METAL EGR TUBE WITH A PLASTIC INTAKE THAT GETS IN EXCESS OF 3 OR 400 DEGREES AND NOT EXPECT IT TO MELT THE PLA… | 43.4%ODI 10040674 · 52,000 miTHE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND LEAKED ANTI FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *NLM | 55.4%ODI 10051820 · 53,450 miVEHICLE STALLED TWICE DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. *AK 1996 OLDSMOBILE LSS 88 STALLED TWICE DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. CONSUMER HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM AND GASKETS REPLACED AS WELL AS A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AND A NEW STARTER AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL.*MR | 65.9%ODI 10001252CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE HARD TO START. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS | 159.1%ODI 10012373WHITE SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE SLEEVE WHICH SEALED THE EXHAUST GAS AS IT ENTERED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED. *MR...*AK | 810.4%ODI 10004689 · 50,000 miFUEL REGULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE, FUEL REMAINED IN REGULATOR. TURNING OVER ENGINE CAUSED SPARK WHICJ BLEW MANIFOLD OUT. *AK |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.7%ODI 984009TRANSIMISSION: CONSUMER WAS PLACING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *AK | 13.7%ODI 848938THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE OR STALL WHILE DRIVING WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 820259TRANSMISSION CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE A SEAL BLEW OUT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK | 45.5%ODI 504117TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE LOOSE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION LEAK. *DSH | 79.5%ODI 10189264 · 47,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THE VEHICLE HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN CMP95C1101. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER 1000 MILES THE VEHICLE FAILED 75 TIMES AND BECAME WORSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. *AK | 23.2% | 32.6%ODI 803968CONSUMER STATES THAT HER OWNER'S MANUAL STATES IF YOU CAN WALK AWAY FROM YOUR VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE KEY IN YOUR HAND YOUR VEHICLE IS IN PARK , THIS IS NOT TRUE BECAUSE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF IGNITION AND GEAR WAS NOT IN PARK AND VEHICLE HIT A TREE.*AK STEERING COLUM WAS RECONNECTED TO SHIFTER CABLE TO IGNITION SWITCH.*JB | 33.3%ODI 769150CAR LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION, REPLACEMENT OF TORQUE CONVERTER, MODULATOR, SHAFT OUTPUT, CLUTCH DRUM WHICH TOTALED $2600. DT | 98.9%ODI 534732TRANSMISSION WON'T ENGAGE IN REVERSE (STICKING) INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO PISTON SEAL LEAK. | 53.0%ODI 10083141 · 40,000 miWHILE ENTERING MY GARAGE AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES WHEN COMING TO A RED LIGHT OR STOPPED VEHICLES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. I REMEMBER THE AUDI THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I REALLY THOUGHT I'D END UP IN MY LIVING ROOM. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL ON ALL OCCASIONS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T DROPPING DOWN TO IT'S LOW RANGE. HELP. *AK | 56.5% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.3%ODI 848209WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS/ AND HESITATES. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 25.4%ODI 552430THE ENGINE CRADLE FALLING TO THE GROUND DUE TO RUSTED OUT BOLTS. YH | 13.7%ODI 716984WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE DIES CLEANLY. THAT IS THERE IS NO SPUTTERING/COUGHING OR ERRATIC FIRING. OFCOURSE YOU LOOSE ALL BRAKING AND STEERING CONTROL DUE TO THE DEAD ENGINE . AFTER YOU COAST TO TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, YOU CAN TURN THE KEY TO START AND THE ENGINE STARTS WITH NO HESITATION AT ALL. THE CAR MAY GO 100, 350 OR 400 MILES BEFORE IT DOES THE SAME THING AGAIN. THIS IS EXTEMELY DANGEROUS AS YOU COULD EASILY REAR END SOME ONE AT HIGH SPEEDS. I CALLED THE OLDSMOBILE DEALER AND HE SAID THERE WAS LITTLE HE COULD … | 14.2% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 22.7%ODI 10050282 · 35,200 miWHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ENGINE IDLED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK | 11.6% | 21.7%ODI 10056334THE PROBLEM I HAVE COME ACROSS IS THAT THE PLENUM THAT SITS ON TOP OF MY INTAKE IS MADE OUT OF SOME KIND OF CARBON FIBER OF SOME SORT . WELL THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OUT MY ENGINE STOPPED INSTANTLY ON THE INTERSTATE. LATER ON THAT DAY I FOUND OUT WHAT IT WAS. THE PLENUM HAS 2 WATER JACKETS ON EACH SIDE OF A VENT FOR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BY THE THROTTLE SIDE, IT CORRODED AROUND THAT VENT THAT LETS COOLING FLUID INTO THE INTAKE STOPPING THE MOTOR INSTANTLY. I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR AND THE PLENUM REPLACED AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I BELIEVE THE M… | 77.6% | 33.0%ODI 10002026MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING WATER INSIDE ENGINE, AND ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS | 159.1%ODI 10011260THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED WHICH RESULTED IN COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE PROBLEM CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE, STARTER AND FLYWHEEL.*JB *TS | 33.9%ODI 10081909 · 52,485 miTHE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL 04V090000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT THE STALLING STILL OCCURRED. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY THAT THE CRACK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD *JB |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.6%ODI 10068953 · 150,000 miCRANK SENSOR CONSTANTLY COME LOOSE. WEATHER CHANGES AND TEMPERATURE CHANGES IN THE ENGINE CAUSE THIS CHANGE. REALIGNINMENT AND RETIGHTENING COSTS 25.00 EACH INSTANCE. THIS HAS OCCURED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER AS WELL [AS I CALLED HER AND ASKED HER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM] THIS HAS OCCURED MORE THAN 50 TIME AS FAR AS I KNOW. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO BE INOPERATABLE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.4%ODI 10192370 · 98,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT 30 MINUTES ON ONE OCCASION. SEVERAL DEALERS DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS EITHER THE FUEL PUMP, STARTER, OR ALTERNATOR. THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE CONTACT HAS THE INVOICES FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND WILL PROVIDE THE DEALER INFORMATION WHEN THE COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED. THE CURR… | 11.4%ODI 10001873WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CUTS OFF AND ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS | 11.6%ODI 10108535WHILE 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 | 21.7%ODI 10166132 · 163,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT SATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE BACK OF THE MOTOR FELL DOWN. THE STEERING LINKAGE FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD DETACHED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. | 33.3%ODI 10022293AT START UP, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION. (ENGINE BURNED) *MR *SCC | 44.0%ODI 10018160 · 62,058 miWHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE BACK FIRED AND BLEW THE "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR *SCC | 148.5%ODI 10011955WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. *NLM | 911.7%ODI 10022305THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COME FROM MOTOR/ AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD. *MR *SCC FIRE STARTED WHILE AT THE GAS STATION. *TS |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 210.5%ODI 544891VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN PUT IN REVERSE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. | 422.2%ODI 100543671) MY 1987 DELTA 88 OLDSMOBILE WILL NOT STEER LEFT WHEN COLD, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. 2) MY BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THEY KEEP PULSATING. THIS WEARS OUT MY TIRES VERY FAST. 3) WHEN FIRST CRANKED, IT WILL DRIVE FOR A MILE AT A MEDIUM RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR BECAUSE THE IDLE IS MESSED UP, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN ADJUSTED. 4) THE WINDSHIELD WASHER HAS NEVER WORKED. ALL THESE THINGS CONTINUALLY HAPPEN THE 5 YEARS I'VE OWNED IT. *CB | 513.5%ODI 483483SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY. *SKD | 414.8%ODI 508382CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 10584216 · 50,000 miTL* 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. | 11.4% | 22.7%ODI 831073CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING ERRATIC ACCELERATION WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS STARTED. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FAILURE IN THE THROTLE POSITION CENSOR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRED AT THE COST TO CONSUMER. *AK *ML | 11.6%ODI 548281VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ENGINE FAILURE CONTINUALLY, REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND PLENIUM (WHICH WAS WARPED AND ALLOWING COOLANT TO SHORT OUT THE SENBSOR) DID NOT RECTIFY FAILURE. MJSD | 32.6%ODI 485723CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO RESUME SPEED IF RESUME SPEED BUTTON IS HELD TOO LONG TO THE RIGHT. *AW | 22.2%ODI 10019521THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A WINDOW. *JB | 11.0%ODI 819269WHILE PULLING INTO APARKING SPOT, WITH BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AT VERY FAST SPEED, RAN OVER A SIGN AND OVER A CURB. COULD NOT GET BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. THEN ENGINE SLOWED DOWN SOMEWHAT AND VEHICLE STOPPED. HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKES AT TIME. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK | 63.7%ODI 10083482 · 58,416 miTHE MANIFOLD ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE ONE YEAR AGO AND NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, WHICH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED SOMEHOW AFFECTED THE MANIFOLD. GM STATED THE DEFECT DID NOT AFFECT HIS VEHICLE. *JB AFTER THE ENGINE WAS WARMED AND STARTED, IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF TRIES AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE WHEN STARTING. THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE COOLANT. *SC *JB | 22.6%ODI 549240VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED TWO OCCASIONS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MJS |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1998: 34 complaints · 1999: 23 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 13 | 22 | 34 |
| 1999 | 9 | 12 | 23 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 134 | 29 | 1 |
| 1999 | 65 | 9 | 3 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Vehicle Speed Control | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | Steering:Rack And Pinion | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
2 mentions · 5.4% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 8018239
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND IF TEST REGISTERS A HALF OF TANK OF GASOLINE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND SHUTDOWN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Matching rule
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b