The 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 47 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 44% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
47
Brakes complaints
44%
Share of year
3
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“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”
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass brakes — 44% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 88V175000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.