Total Complaints
107 filings
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS · model year
1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
107 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1988OLDSMOBILECUTLASS carries 107 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 4 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 1988 CUTLASS is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc with 8 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (8) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (8). 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 1988 CUTLASS. 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.
107
Complaints
7
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
4
Deaths
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 8 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| STRUCTURE | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 3 |
| PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 3 |
| PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20060302STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB
Mileage: 50,500
20040901CrashFatalSTRUCTURE
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 AGENCY. *AK *JB
Mileage: 120,000
20040212FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FIRE. *PH *NM
20031019CrashFatalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. *TC
Mileage: 120,000
20031019CrashFatalSUSPENSION:FRONT
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 UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. *TC
Mileage: 120,000
20031019CrashFatalSEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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 UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. *TC
Mileage: 120,000
20020529SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD.*AK
20020529VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD.*AK
20010823STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUME RWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAYAND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WENT OUT, AND BOLTS THAT HELD STEERING COLUMN ,FELL ONTO FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
20010409FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
20010301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1.) THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SAGS AND THE HINGES ARE RUSTY. THE DOOR LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS ALREADY FALLEN OFF ONCE, I HAVE REPLACED THE HINGES. WHEN IT FELL OFF, WE WERE STOPPED, BUT IT ALMOST FELL ON MY COUSIN'S LEG. 2.) THE CAR DOES NOT START LIKE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WILL "TURN OVER" BUT WILL NOT IGNITE. IT USUALLY TAKES THREE TIMES TO START IT. 3.) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT STUTTERS AND NEARLY STALLS. I HAVE SPENT $600 GETTING A NEW IGNITION MODUEL, FUEL PUMP, PROM CHIP, MAP SENSOR, WIRE SET, FUEL FILTER. IT RAN WELL FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS AND IS NOW HAVING THE SAME INDICATIONS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.
20010301STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
1.) THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SAGS AND THE HINGES ARE RUSTY. THE DOOR LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS ALREADY FALLEN OFF ONCE, I HAVE REPLACED THE HINGES. WHEN IT FELL OFF, WE WERE STOPPED, BUT IT ALMOST FELL ON MY COUSIN'S LEG. 2.) THE CAR DOES NOT START LIKE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WILL "TURN OVER" BUT WILL NOT IGNITE. IT USUALLY TAKES THREE TIMES TO START IT. 3.) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT STUTTERS AND NEARLY STALLS. I HAVE SPENT $600 GETTING A NEW IGNITION MODUEL, FUEL PUMP, PROM CHIP, MAP SENSOR, WIRE SET, FUEL FILTER. IT RAN WELL FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS AND IS NOW HAVING THE SAME INDICATIONS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.
20010301FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1.) THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SAGS AND THE HINGES ARE RUSTY. THE DOOR LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS ALREADY FALLEN OFF ONCE, I HAVE REPLACED THE HINGES. WHEN IT FELL OFF, WE WERE STOPPED, BUT IT ALMOST FELL ON MY COUSIN'S LEG. 2.) THE CAR DOES NOT START LIKE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WILL "TURN OVER" BUT WILL NOT IGNITE. IT USUALLY TAKES THREE TIMES TO START IT. 3.) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT STUTTERS AND NEARLY STALLS. I HAVE SPENT $600 GETTING A NEW IGNITION MODUEL, FUEL PUMP, PROM CHIP, MAP SENSOR, WIRE SET, FUEL FILTER. IT RAN WELL FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS AND IS NOW HAVING THE SAME INDICATIONS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.
20010212SUSPENSION:REAR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20010131STRUCTURE
CRADLE BOLTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 97V-058, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
20010111STRUCTURE
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND CAR WAS TOTALED, NO WARNING SIGNS, AN ADJUSTER CAME AND SAID THAT CRADLE BOLTS WERE CORRODED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *AK
20010111STRUCTURE
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. ADJUSTER DISCOVERED THAT CRADLE BOLTS WERE CORRODED DUE TO A DEFCTIVE PRODUCT. *AK
20001120SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES PEDAL IS SOFT. BRAKES DO NOT STOP VEHICLE. *AK
20001114STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER RECIEVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL O00065-S AND TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL COULDN'T BE DONE DUE TO THE RECALL COMPONENT NOT BEING SUPPORTED BY THE FRAME HOLES AND FRAME, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER IN ORDER TO DO RECALL THE ENTIRE FRAME ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST. *SLC
20000927ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE SHUTDOWN/NO POWER STEERING/DANGEROUS SITUATION /ELDERLY DRIVER !! THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 50K MILES. TWO FUEL PUMPS AND ONE MODULE REPLACED SINCE 1995. THE FUEL PUMPS REPLACED IN A ONE YEAR PERIOD. *AK
Compare 1988OLDSMOBILECUTLASS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS have?▼
The 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS has 107 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 4 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS?▼
The most-complained component for the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR.
Is the 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.