Model year record

1996 OLDSMOBILE 88

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 113 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V116000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
275,811
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-01
Owners notified
1996-07-08

Defect description

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V204000

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
32,869
Reported to NHTSA
1995-10-23
Owners notified
1995-09-22

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8
Engine and engine cooling: engine7149,686 mi
Air bags: frontal5150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe593,000 mi
Air bags4198,522 mi
Tires46,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module3105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3114,675 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3
Seats: front assembly: head restraint3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Electrical system: wiring2
Exterior lighting: turn signal2
Fuel system, gasoline2192,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings292,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system223,000 mi
Interior lighting2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Structure2
Structure: frame and members2170,000 mi
Vehicle speed control260,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1102,050 mi
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert1
Child seat1
Electrical system176,047 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1125,500 mi
Engine1200,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)165,347 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel/propulsion system1189,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic1261,290 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering150,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front1
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: tread/belt1
Unknown or other1
Visibility1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.