Model year record

1998 OLDSMOBILE 88

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 213 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V090000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
910,873
Reported to NHTSA
2004-02-24
Owners notified
2004-06-30

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Safety risk

THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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: gasoline2273,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1573,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1572,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1449,890 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1479,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1174,386 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1060,350 mi
Unknown or other957,000 mi
Vehicle speed control858,416 mi
Engine684,000 mi
Air bags: frontal5
Power train: automatic transmission540,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4
Electrical system: ignition3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Electrical system2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery231,009 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly277,125 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys257,688 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)253,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Fuel system, other240,000 mi
Seat belts: front257,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other257,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Structure: body2124,000 mi
Air bags1124,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood174,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline157,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings128,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system121,100 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1
Fuel/propulsion system1190 mi
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner163,300 mi
Service brakes185,400 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1190,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control161,618 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Wheels131,009 mi
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1190,000 mi

The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 times as many 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.