Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1979 Oldsmobile 88 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
2
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Seat | 1 | 50% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 50% | new |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE HEADS MAY BREAK OFF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION EVEN UNDER NO LOAD CONDITIONS. THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF BOLTS USED, HIGH INSTALLATION TORQUE AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE BODY ANCHORAGE.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Defect
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES". THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GASOLINE FUEL HOSES IN PLACE OF THE VACUUM HOSE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND CARBON CANISTER IN THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM LINE. SHOULD THIS HOSE RUPTURE, IT WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS WOULD INCREASE THE DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT HOSE WITH THE CORRECT VACUUM HOSE.
Defect
A GASKET WAS MISTAKENLY PLACED BETWEEN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE POWER BOOST WHICH PREVENTED THE TWO PARTS FROM FITTING TOGETHER PROPERLY. DAMAGE MAY HAVE RESULTED TO THE MOUNTING EARS OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRO-BOOST. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND HYDRO-BOOST UNIT, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP MY DAUGHTER SAFE, SHE IS OVER 40 POUNDS BUT CAN NOT USE A BOOSTER BECAUSE THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT HAVE SHOULDER BELTS? SHOULD I PUT HER IN THE FRONT? THEY SAY THAT IS NOT SAFE EITHER. *AK”
The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1979 Oldsmobile 88. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 88 years to avoid are 1998, 1995, 1997, 1996, 1992, 1999, 1993, 1994, 1988, 1986, 1989. The cleanest record among 88 years belongs to 2000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.