VehicleVerdict

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass carries two red flags at once: 107 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.7× the Cutlass norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 44% of all reports (47 of 107), far ahead of suspension at 9.

107

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

8

Investigations · 2 open

7

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Cutlass years?

Cutlass NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted266 complaints1967: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 3 complaints1977: 4 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 3 complaints1981: 8 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 24 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 31 complaints1987: 22 complaints1988: 107 complaints1989: 164 complaints1990: 151 complaints1991: 266 complaints1992: 182 complaints1993: 193 complaints1994: 200 complaints1995: 199 complaints1996: 160 complaints1997: 161 complaints1998: 223 complaints1999: 117 complaints
Cutlass NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cutlass years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4744%
Suspension98%
Body & Structure98%
Engine87%
Electrical System77%
Steering55%
Seat Belts55%
Transmission44%
Fuel System44%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Speed Control22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Other11%
Seats11%

Does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass have recalls?

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

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

95V115000Tires & WheelsJune 5, 1995 · 22,361 units

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

94V041000Tires & WheelsMarch 28, 1995 · 198,163 units

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

90V054000Seat BeltsMarch 14, 1990 · 673,000 units

Defect

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence

SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

89V102000Speed ControlJune 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 units

Defect

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Consequence

SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

88V175000BrakesNovember 4, 1988 · 3,857 units

Defect

THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER.

Consequence

PARKING BRAKE CANNOT BE PROPERLY APPLIED AND VEHICLEWILL NOT MEET THE GRADE HOLDING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105.

Remedy

INSTALL A RETAINER ON LEFT REAR CALIPER IF CABLE IS NOT ALREADY RETAINED WITH A COTTER PIN AND ADJUST PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99002

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WITH LIGHT BRAKING THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP AT SPEEDS UNDER 15MPH. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, THE SECOND TIME RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 19, 1999 · crash

“ENGINE SUPPORT FAILED (BROKE) WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IMPOSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LEAVE ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES, CAUSING MY DAUGHTER'S DEATH. ALSO, I REPORTED THIS DEVASTATING EVENT SHORTLY AFTER IT OCCURRED AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY RESPONSE FROM ANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 29, 1999 · crash

“1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS- ENGINE CRADLE AND/OR FRONT SUSPENSIONS BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *LA THE CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE DECEASED CONSUMER. THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A DITCH AND BEGAN TO ROLL APPROX. THREE TIMES COMING TO A REST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 29, 1999 · crash

“1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS- ENGINE CRADLE AND/OR FRONT SUSPENSIONS BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *LA THE CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE DECEASED CONSUMER. THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A DITCH AND BEGAN TO ROLL APPROX. THREE TIMES COMING TO A REST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 29, 1999 · crash

“ECM PROM HAD TO BE REPLACED 02/01/2000, AND AT THAT TIME WE WERE INFORMED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN(88-T-147B) HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR BOTH THE PART AND LABOR SINCE WE NEVER RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL BULLETIN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass — common questions

Is the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 107 complaints put the 1988 model at #12 of 28 Cutlass years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid.

What are the most common 1988 Cutlass problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (47 complaints), suspension (9 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).

Does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Oldsmobile Cutlass years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cutlass years to avoid are 1991, 1998, 1994, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1997, 1996, 1990, 1999, 1988. The cleanest record among Cutlass years belongs to 1978.

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.