OLDSMOBILE 88 · model year

1995 OLDSMOBILE 88

150 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995OLDSMOBILE88 carries 150 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 9 fires, 14 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 88 is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 14 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (10) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 13 investigation files overlapping the 1995 88. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

150
Complaints
20
Crashes
9
Fires
14
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

150 filings

Crashes Reported

20 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE14
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM6
AIR BAGS6
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR5
STEERING4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN4
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS4
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3

Recent Complaints

20150617AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN A DECENT RAIN STORM WITH A BUDDY OF MINE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN BOOM THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WENT OFF! VERY FRIGHTENING. THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS PERMANENTLY OPEN. UNKNOWN CAUSE.

Mileage: 85,000

20150605AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 173,000

20150521FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I STARTED SMELLING FUEL, AS THE WEEK PROGRESSED THE SMELL GREW INTENSELY UNBEARABLE, BEFORE TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL ONE DAY I DECIDED LET ME TAKE A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AFTER ALL THIS IS GASOLINE WE ARE TAKING ABOUT. SO I SAW THAT THE FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL RAIL WAS A LITTLE WET SO I TURNED ON MY CAR AND A MIST OF GAS WAS SPRAYING OUT THE HOSE. I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH OF A RISK I WAS PUTTING MY KIDS IN BY DRIVING WITH THAT FUEL SMELL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THAT, ITS NOT SAFE.

Mileage: 180,000

20141028AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 95 IN MANNING SO. CAROLINA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD THIS BIG BANG AND SAW MY WINDSHIELD SMASHED AND THEN NOTICED THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED! I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING NOR ANYTHING HIT ME NOR HIT ANY BUMPS! I WAS TRAVELING FROM MAINE TO FLORIDA. *TR

Mileage: 137,300

20140703CrashENGINE

1995 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE SENSOR LIGHT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, EVEN THOUSANDS TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR LIGHT, CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2012. THE ENGINE LIGHT, HAS BEEN ON FOR FIVE YEARS.

20130612AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, BOTH OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH NOR WAS THERE ANY TYPE OF IMPACT MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Mileage: 162,000

20111106STEERING

A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FORTUNATELY DID NOT OCCUR. THE ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME MOUNTING WASHERS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED THROUGH. MY MOTHER (75 YEARS OLD) WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE ENGINE CRADLE DROPPED DOWN PREVENTING HER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CLOSE SHE WOULD HAVE DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO IT. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SCARED AND SHAKEN. THIS IS SUCH A SMALL ITEM THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY GM OR WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SINGLE VEHICLE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 100,700

20111106SUSPENSION

A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FORTUNATELY DID NOT OCCUR. THE ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME MOUNTING WASHERS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED THROUGH. MY MOTHER (75 YEARS OLD) WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE ENGINE CRADLE DROPPED DOWN PREVENTING HER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CLOSE SHE WOULD HAVE DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO IT. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SCARED AND SHAKEN. THIS IS SUCH A SMALL ITEM THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY GM OR WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SINGLE VEHICLE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 100,700

20111106STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FORTUNATELY DID NOT OCCUR. THE ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME MOUNTING WASHERS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED THROUGH. MY MOTHER (75 YEARS OLD) WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE ENGINE CRADLE DROPPED DOWN PREVENTING HER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CLOSE SHE WOULD HAVE DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO IT. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SCARED AND SHAKEN. THIS IS SUCH A SMALL ITEM THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY GM OR WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SINGLE VEHICLE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 100,700

20111106ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FORTUNATELY DID NOT OCCUR. THE ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME MOUNTING WASHERS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED THROUGH. MY MOTHER (75 YEARS OLD) WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE ENGINE CRADLE DROPPED DOWN PREVENTING HER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CLOSE SHE WOULD HAVE DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO IT. SHE WAS EXTREMELY SCARED AND SHAKEN. THIS IS SUCH A SMALL ITEM THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY GM OR WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SINGLE VEHICLE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 100,700

20080409STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BUSHINGS HOLDING THE FRONT K-MEMBER SUBFRAME ALL FAILED AT ONCE, WHICH CAUSED THE K SUBFRAME TO DROP OUT OF POSITION. THE STEERING LOCKED. THE WHEEL REMAINED IN A NEUTRAL POSITION UNTIL THE CONTACT PULLED IT BACK. HE DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE ORDERING THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. NO RECALLS WERE FOUND FOR THAT MODEL VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 183,000.

Mileage: 183,000

20080201AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE LSS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED DUE TO CORROSION ON A SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, DEATHS, OR A POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

20080201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE LSS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED DUE TO CORROSION ON A SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, DEATHS, OR A POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

20060918AIR BAGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.

Mileage: 80,000

20060821ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT SATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE BACK OF THE MOTOR FELL DOWN. THE STEERING LINKAGE FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD DETACHED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED.

Mileage: 163,000

20060327CrashFireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

I PURCHASED A 1995 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE LSS 4D SEDAN 6CY/3800 SERIES 2. AT SEVEN SEAS AUTO 118 MAPLE ST. MANCHESTER NH,03103. PAID 1,500 CAME WITH A 20-DAY PLATE AND A STATE INSPECTION. NOW THE CAR HAS A NEW ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING PASSED INSPECTION, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. FIRST THING, CAR WAS BOUGHT ON THE 8TH. MY BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 15TH, YET THE INSPECTION IS GOOD FOR 07 NOT 06 LIKE IT SHOULD BE. SECOND E-BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AND REGULAR BRAKES DON'T WORK RIGHT, THE ABS- BRAKE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON. THIRD WITHIN 11 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR HAD TO BUY 3 BATTERIES. THE FIRST WAS ONE HOUR AFTER BUYING THE CAR, SECOND WAS 5 DAYS LATER. THE THIRD WAS 4 DAYS AFTER THAT. NOW IN HAVERILL MASS. WENT TO PUT THE THIRD BATTERY IN, THE ALTERNATOR STARTED SMOKING UP. THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED THE DEALER SAID THIS IS RIDICULOUS I WANT MY MONEY BACK. HE SAID NO FIX IT ON YOUR OWN. PLUS WHEN IT RAINS ALL FOUR FLOORS GET WET. AND THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER DRIPS ON YOUR LEGS WHILE YOUR DRIVING

Mileage: 264,384

20060327CrashFireEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

I PURCHASED A 1995 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE LSS 4D SEDAN 6CY/3800 SERIES 2. AT SEVEN SEAS AUTO 118 MAPLE ST. MANCHESTER NH,03103. PAID 1,500 CAME WITH A 20-DAY PLATE AND A STATE INSPECTION. NOW THE CAR HAS A NEW ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING PASSED INSPECTION, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. FIRST THING, CAR WAS BOUGHT ON THE 8TH. MY BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 15TH, YET THE INSPECTION IS GOOD FOR 07 NOT 06 LIKE IT SHOULD BE. SECOND E-BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AND REGULAR BRAKES DON'T WORK RIGHT, THE ABS- BRAKE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON. THIRD WITHIN 11 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR HAD TO BUY 3 BATTERIES. THE FIRST WAS ONE HOUR AFTER BUYING THE CAR, SECOND WAS 5 DAYS LATER. THE THIRD WAS 4 DAYS AFTER THAT. NOW IN HAVERILL MASS. WENT TO PUT THE THIRD BATTERY IN, THE ALTERNATOR STARTED SMOKING UP. THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED THE DEALER SAID THIS IS RIDICULOUS I WANT MY MONEY BACK. HE SAID NO FIX IT ON YOUR OWN. PLUS WHEN IT RAINS ALL FOUR FLOORS GET WET. AND THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER DRIPS ON YOUR LEGS WHILE YOUR DRIVING

Mileage: 264,384

20060327CrashFireVISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I PURCHASED A 1995 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE LSS 4D SEDAN 6CY/3800 SERIES 2. AT SEVEN SEAS AUTO 118 MAPLE ST. MANCHESTER NH,03103. PAID 1,500 CAME WITH A 20-DAY PLATE AND A STATE INSPECTION. NOW THE CAR HAS A NEW ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING PASSED INSPECTION, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. FIRST THING, CAR WAS BOUGHT ON THE 8TH. MY BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 15TH, YET THE INSPECTION IS GOOD FOR 07 NOT 06 LIKE IT SHOULD BE. SECOND E-BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AND REGULAR BRAKES DON'T WORK RIGHT, THE ABS- BRAKE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON. THIRD WITHIN 11 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR HAD TO BUY 3 BATTERIES. THE FIRST WAS ONE HOUR AFTER BUYING THE CAR, SECOND WAS 5 DAYS LATER. THE THIRD WAS 4 DAYS AFTER THAT. NOW IN HAVERILL MASS. WENT TO PUT THE THIRD BATTERY IN, THE ALTERNATOR STARTED SMOKING UP. THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED THE DEALER SAID THIS IS RIDICULOUS I WANT MY MONEY BACK. HE SAID NO FIX IT ON YOUR OWN. PLUS WHEN IT RAINS ALL FOUR FLOORS GET WET. AND THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER DRIPS ON YOUR LEGS WHILE YOUR DRIVING

Mileage: 264,384

20060327CrashFireSTRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I PURCHASED A 1995 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE LSS 4D SEDAN 6CY/3800 SERIES 2. AT SEVEN SEAS AUTO 118 MAPLE ST. MANCHESTER NH,03103. PAID 1,500 CAME WITH A 20-DAY PLATE AND A STATE INSPECTION. NOW THE CAR HAS A NEW ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING PASSED INSPECTION, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. FIRST THING, CAR WAS BOUGHT ON THE 8TH. MY BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 15TH, YET THE INSPECTION IS GOOD FOR 07 NOT 06 LIKE IT SHOULD BE. SECOND E-BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AND REGULAR BRAKES DON'T WORK RIGHT, THE ABS- BRAKE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON. THIRD WITHIN 11 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR HAD TO BUY 3 BATTERIES. THE FIRST WAS ONE HOUR AFTER BUYING THE CAR, SECOND WAS 5 DAYS LATER. THE THIRD WAS 4 DAYS AFTER THAT. NOW IN HAVERILL MASS. WENT TO PUT THE THIRD BATTERY IN, THE ALTERNATOR STARTED SMOKING UP. THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED THE DEALER SAID THIS IS RIDICULOUS I WANT MY MONEY BACK. HE SAID NO FIX IT ON YOUR OWN. PLUS WHEN IT RAINS ALL FOUR FLOORS GET WET. AND THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER DRIPS ON YOUR LEGS WHILE YOUR DRIVING

Mileage: 264,384

20060327CrashFireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

I PURCHASED A 1995 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE LSS 4D SEDAN 6CY/3800 SERIES 2. AT SEVEN SEAS AUTO 118 MAPLE ST. MANCHESTER NH,03103. PAID 1,500 CAME WITH A 20-DAY PLATE AND A STATE INSPECTION. NOW THE CAR HAS A NEW ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING PASSED INSPECTION, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. FIRST THING, CAR WAS BOUGHT ON THE 8TH. MY BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 15TH, YET THE INSPECTION IS GOOD FOR 07 NOT 06 LIKE IT SHOULD BE. SECOND E-BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AND REGULAR BRAKES DON'T WORK RIGHT, THE ABS- BRAKE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON. THIRD WITHIN 11 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR HAD TO BUY 3 BATTERIES. THE FIRST WAS ONE HOUR AFTER BUYING THE CAR, SECOND WAS 5 DAYS LATER. THE THIRD WAS 4 DAYS AFTER THAT. NOW IN HAVERILL MASS. WENT TO PUT THE THIRD BATTERY IN, THE ALTERNATOR STARTED SMOKING UP. THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED THE DEALER SAID THIS IS RIDICULOUS I WANT MY MONEY BACK. HE SAID NO FIX IT ON YOUR OWN. PLUS WHEN IT RAINS ALL FOUR FLOORS GET WET. AND THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER DRIPS ON YOUR LEGS WHILE YOUR DRIVING

Mileage: 264,384

Compare 1995OLDSMOBILE88 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88 have?
The 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88 has 150 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 9 fires, 14 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88?
The most-complained component for the 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1995 OLDSMOBILE 88 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.