VehicleVerdict

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

25

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Cutlass Supreme years?

Cutlass Supreme NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted113 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 25 complaints1989: 29 complaints1990: 42 complaints1994: 59 complaints1995: 113 complaints1996: 54 complaints1997: 62 complaints
Cutlass Supreme NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cutlass Supreme years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure832%
Brakes728%
Steering312%
Suspension312%
Engine28%
Other28%

Does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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).

00V189000Body & StructureJuly 11, 2000 · 713,435 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Consequence

IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IDENTICAL FAILURE AS DESCRIBED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V189000/ CRADLE BOLTS. HOWEVER, THIS CAMPAIGN IS LIMITED TO NORTHERN TIER OF STATES "WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY." MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY OF THOSE STATES. I CONTEND THE PROBLEM TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD THAN ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED. WHAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 18, 2001 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH,THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE AND HAD TO APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE THE SPEED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,800. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CALIPER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 3, 2007

“WHEN DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN AREA . CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCE. NOTICED THE PROBLEM TWICE A WEEK. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

“THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS "FELL OFF" THEREFOR CAUSING A FLIP OVER WHEN THE BACK RIGHT TIRE BLEW. THE TIRE BLEW BECAUSE THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRES, THEREFOR, EXPOSING THE THREADS.*AK (TIRESIZE: P195/R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/R14 )”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · crash

“THE PAINT STARTED PEELING ON THE HOOD AFTER I WASHED MY CAR AND IT STARTED PEELING ON THE DRIVER DOOR FRAME. THE PAINT LIFTED AWAY FROM THE PRIMER COAT. TALKED TO DEALER AND THE 800 NUMBER THAT WAS GIVEN ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE GM REPRESENTATIVE THAT I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 15, 2001

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme — common questions

Is the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1988 Cutlass Supreme problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (8 complaints), brakes (7 complaints), steering (3 complaints).

Does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cutlass Supreme years to avoid are 1995, 1997, 1994, 1996, 1990. The cleanest record among Cutlass Supreme years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.