Model year record

1991 Oldsmobile 88 recalls & problems

The 1991 Oldsmobile 88 has 2 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (6 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints16filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Parking brakeSep 23, 1991

Conventional › Mechanical

Recall 91V16700020,765 vehicles

Problem: WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Risk: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Fix: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.

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.

Crash test ratings

1991 Oldsmobile 88 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

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.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Master cylinder	6	1	0	2	—
Parking brakeConventional	3	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	2	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline	1	0	0	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
TL* 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.
Mar 22, 2014 · 50,000 miles
Parking brake
RECALL 91V167000 CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE LEAVER ASSEMBLY: AT THE TIME OF VEHICLE INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEAVER WAS ON RECALL. THE LEAVER WAS RELEASING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WHEN ON AN INCLINE. *AK
Dec 16, 2003 · 115,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
THE FUEL TANK METER LINES WERE RUSTED CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK. *MJS
Sep 28, 2000
Parking brake › Conventional
THE LOCK TO THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SITTING THE BRAKE WILL RELEASE ON ITS OWN, AND SOMETIMES IT RELEASES SOON AS IT'S APPLIED. BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Dec 15, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation componentsCrash
TWO BRAKE FAILURES ON HIGHWAY, ONCE RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK
Apr 20, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND WENT TO APPLY FOR THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONSUMER CRACKED ONE OF THE BRAKE SHOES. *AK
Jul 7, 1998
Electrical system › Ignition
ENGINE IGNITION WIRES BETWEEN FUEL INJECTORS AND ENGINE CONTROL UNIT ON COMPUTER, ONE WIRE WAS BROKEN.
Jul 31, 1998
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.
Oct 1, 1997

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL LINE FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA93011 · opened May 3, 1993 · closed May 31, 1994