Model year record

1992 Oldsmobile 88 recalls & problems

The 1992 Oldsmobile 88 has 1 safety recall and 73 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (35 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints73filed by owners

Crashes · fires12 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths30 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainJan 23, 1996

Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines

Recall 96V015000585,182 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.

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

1992 Oldsmobile 88 4-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, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Drum	35	3	0	2	—
Air bagsFrontal	14	11	0	7	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines	11	0	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system	11	0	6	0	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Wiring › Front underhood	8	0	3	2	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections	5	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members	5	0	0	4	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Rear/other	5	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust	3	1	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	3	0	1	0	—
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing; Front › Macpherson strut	2	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	2	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
TL*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 CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Jun 4, 2007 · 98,000 miles
Unknown or other16 injuries
THE VICTIM WAS DEPRIVED OF OXYGEN BEFORE RESCUERS ARRIVED, SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE AND DIED FROM HIS INJURY 11/25/98. OUR INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND 15 OTHERS THAT REPORTED VERY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES TO GM. DT
Nov 23, 1998
Air bags › FrontalCrash
HAVE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE PUSHED INTO BUILDING, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Aug 26, 2002
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dashFire2 injuries
THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHORTED OUT. IT STARTED TO GET HOT, THEN IT SMOKED AND THEN THERE WAS A SMALL SPARK AND A SMALL FLAME. IT COMPLETELY MELTED. THIS CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY.*AK
Dec 16, 2001
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT RELEASE FAR ENOUGH TO FASTEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT RETRACTOR NEEDED REPLACING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*SLC
Jan 1, 2001
Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MPH, TORQUE CONVERTER, SEAL AND TRANSMISSION FITLER REPLACED. *JB
Jan 28, 2000
Power train › Automatic transmissionFire
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING UP A HILL AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LIFTED HOOD, FLAMES WERE COMING FORM BENEATH. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. *AK POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
Mar 7, 2001
Structure4 injuries
CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN DURING HARD BRAKING AND THE BUMPER WENT BELOW THE OTHER VEHICLE AND NEVER TOOK IMPACT BUT RESULTED IN $6000. IN DAMAGE (HOOD, RADIATOR, HEADLIGHTS, FENDERS, SIDE MARKERS AND CRUMPLE ZONE), THE CONSUMER BELIEVES NO VEHICLE SHOULD BE TOTALED FOR A 15 MPH FRONT END CRASH. NLM
Feb 15, 2001

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

INADVERTENT SHIFT OF TRANSClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA94024 · opened Jun 30, 1994 · closed Jun 30, 1995
TURBOCHARGER MALFUNCTIONClosedLed to recall 94V094000
There is no summary currently available
PE94009 · opened Jan 31, 1994 · closed May 24, 1994
INADVERTENT SHIFT OF TRANSMISSIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94006 · opened Jan 28, 1994 · closed Jun 30, 1994
FUEL LINE FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE93007 · opened Feb 10, 1993 · closed May 3, 1993
FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FAILSClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE92010 · opened Jan 27, 1992 · closed May 22, 1992