Model year record
The 1990 Oldsmobile 88 has 2 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (5 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor | 5 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components | 4 | — |
| Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Alternator/generator/regulator | 4 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Fuel injection system | 2 | — |
| SteeringColumn; Steering wheel/handle bar | 2 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| StructureBody › Hood; Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments | 2 | — |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights | 1 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield | 1 | — |
| Power trainDriveline › Differential unit | 1 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
DT: 1990 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT STAY CLOSED. THE CONTACT CALLED OLDSMOBILE, AND THEY STATED SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT GET FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR A MONTH. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUT HIS SEA BELT INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. *AK
THE REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE RENDERING THE VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKES. *PH *JB
HAS ANYONE COMPLAINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE 1990 OLDSMOBILE 88 ROYALE? THEY ALWAYS LAY ACROSS THE OCCUPANTS NECK? IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, I THINK YOU MIGHT BE HURT MORE IF YOU HAD THE BELT ON BECAUSE OF ITS POSITION. I THINK IT COULD BREAK YOUR NECK! IN ADDITION, IT MIGHT CUT INTO YOUR NECK IF YOU STOP SHORT AND ARE FORCED FORWARD. THE PERSON'S HEIGHT DOES NOT MATTER; BECAUSE IT WORKS ITS WAY TOWARDS YOUR NECK ON EVERYONE. THEY ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE ON THIS MODEL OF CAR. IS OLDSMOBILE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? THOMAS FIORENZE TS
HOOD 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
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASES UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH WONT PROTECT OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. *AK
DUE TO A FUEL LEAK IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. *AK
BRAKES FAILED.
COMPUTER UNIT FAILED. MJS
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.