Oldsmobile 88 Ls 1998
Model 88 Ls made in 1998 by Oldsmobile got 24 consumer complains as well as 1 service bulletin. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding unknown or other.
Model 1998
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
| 98838313 | 05/01/1998 | 601394 | Some customers may comment that the cupholder does not stay latched. *yc | 08/03/1998 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 04/23/2002 | 77125 | 2 | 10/31/2000 |
| Car overheated without any visible signs of this but the red area of the gauge then the check eng light came on. pulled to side of the road, checked it got it cooled down, then proceeded to the very next rd to gas station for better view of what was going on. got to it very quickly and the temp was back up. stopped let it cool and added water to the now empty resovair that was full when we started the trip. and no signs of leakage and no boiling over, let it cool. added water. then tried to crank it up, it would not. had to have it towed to dealer, thought eng had locked up. was told their was a feature to this car that shuts down the eng when a leak like this occurs. wondering how many other people are taken because they thought the eng was gone......and it was not. but it somehow damaged the starter when all this happened. i had a mechanic check out the car before we left on this trip, had the oil changed and everything. but something went wrong when the leak, and running hot occured. not sure how it messed up the starter. but also know since it shuts the eng down, locks it up, how many people are having to get a new eng cause their person did not know about this feature as well. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 12/17/2003 | 74000 | 1 | |
| Consumer heard a loud noise, and vehicle caught on fire. there was lots of smoke and flames under the hood. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 09/01/2006 | 79000 | 6 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile 88 ls. the vehicle stalled and would not accelerate, the steering didn't lock and the airbag light illuminated. the failure mileage was 79,000. the failure occurred on six occasions. the dealer stated that they were unable to duplicate the problem. the contact stated that due to the safety risk involved the manufacturer should be able diagnose the failure. the current mileage was 80,435. *ak the consumer states has taken vehicle into dealer for 2 dianostics checks no failures found. engine still continues to stall. update *4/23/07tr | |||
| 09/01/2003 | 97000 | 1 | |
| Fractured plastic (!) intake manifold (upper plenum) resulting in loss of coolant over the course of about four weeks until the problem was finally diagnosed. had to have this problem analyzed and eventually remedied at a cost of around $700.00 total. why on earth is this crucial component plastic? *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 02/23/2005 | 130000 | 2 | 06/03/1999 |
| My oldsmobile 88 was loosing anti-freeze. there was a recall on the fuel pressure regulator, so i took it in for recall repair and had the dealer check the coolant system. they said my intake manifold needed to be replaced at a cost of $1200. this is the second time i have had to have this done to the car. the intake manifold was replaced at 60000 miles.apparently the plastic manifold is not able to handle the heat. my car has never overheated and this should not be happening. i have 133,000 miles on the vehicle and should not have had to replace this manifold twice.*ak | |||
| 04/23/2002 | 77125 | 2 | 10/31/2000 |
| Car overheated without any visible signs of this but the red area of the gauge then the check eng light came on. pulled to side of the road, checked it got it cooled down, then proceeded to the very next rd to gas station for better view of what was going on. got to it very quickly and the temp was back up. stopped let it cool and added water to the now empty resovair that was full when we started the trip. and no signs of leakage and no boiling over, let it cool. added water. then tried to crank it up, it would not. had to have it towed to dealer, thought eng had locked up. was told their was a feature to this car that shuts down the eng when a leak like this occurs. wondering how many other people are taken because they thought the eng was gone......and it was not. but it somehow damaged the starter when all this happened. i had a mechanic check out the car before we left on this trip, had the oil changed and everything. but something went wrong when the leak, and running hot occured. not sure how it messed up the starter. but also know since it shuts the eng down, locks it up, how many people are having to get a new eng cause their person did not know about this feature as well. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 10/23/2003 | 89114 | 1 | 07/13/2001 |
| In october of 2003, my check engine light on my oldsmobile 88ls, 3.8 series two engine, came on. the car had a loss of power and started running rough. before i got the car stopped the engine quit. i looked under the hood to see water running out of the gaskets. i checked the radiator to find no water and also noticed the overflow tank had none. i pulled the dipstick to find all the remaining water to be in the oil. the vehicle was towed under and extended warranty to the dealer of which it was puchased to find that the upper intake had either cracked or burst. the dealer refered to the damaged part as a plentium. this occured at 89,000 miles. the dealer replaced the damaged part and put the engine back together. the dealer advised me to keep a watch on the car to see if any changes develop. at the first three thousand mile oil change the vehicle had lost oil and i also added water to the radiator. the vehicle was also back to the dealer before the oil change for loss of gas mileage and a few other concerns. when i arrived at the dealer for the oil change they pressure tested the engine and asked that i leave the vehicle for them to check out a detected problem during the pressure test. the repairs done during this time involved the gaskets again, and also the heads where warped and they repaired them. at 106,000 miles the dealer requested that i replace the engine. the dealer tested the engine again to determine an internal coolant leak. now the car has a loss of water and also has started to burn some oil. there are numerous amounts of complaints about this same problem with this engine and something needs to be done. this particular engine is in all oldsmobile, buick, pontiac, and chevrolet made vehicles. all the owners of these vehicles need some assistance. | |||
| 08/16/2003 | 73200 | 1 | 04/09/2001 |
| While merging into interstate rush hour traffic with no warning engine failed causing lost of braking and steering effectiveness. no warning was received. vehicle was towed to dealer and upper intake was found cracked allowing coolant to enter combustion chamber. one week and $800.00 later car was repaired vehicle continues to experience fuel delivery problems. hard starting, random stalling. dealer advised me this is a common problem with the 3800 series ii engine regardless of mileage or type of use and maintenance. considering the sudden lost of all power this is very dangerous as braking and steering effectiveness is reduced as is electrical power for accessories such as headlamps and windshield wipers. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) | |||
| 11/10/2002 | 53500 | 3 | 03/01/2002 |
| I purchased vehicle used mar. 1,2002. at 51000miles ibegan to have a leaking antifreeze problem (of dexcool) and i had waterpump replaced and then coolant thermostatabout aweek later for leaking..at about 53500 miles,presently,on about jan. 10,2003.i quit relieing on driving the 98 olds 88 and now this vehicle is at wally mccarthy's service | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | |||
| 05/21/2004 | 03/08/2003 | ||
| I purchased a 1998 oldsmobile 88 in march of 2003, i put new wiring on the vehicle approximately in december after i had the vehicle checked because the check-engine light was on. the check-engine light started coming on again and the car was using all the water about every 10 miles, i took the car to a repair shop where they told me that there was a problem with the intake manifold. after leaving the repair shop, i stopped by a store and was inside about five minutes and the car wouldn't start right away, i had to try starting numerous times before it would start. on my way back home the car slowed to about 40 mph and wouldn't go any faster, even with the gas to the floor; it would only get slower. after getting back home, the car wouldn't crank back up at all; it wouldn't even turn over. i bought the car back home that same day and checked the internet for any recalls on the vehicle and noticed that there was a recall in february 2004. *nm | |||
| 09/01/2003 | 97000 | 1 | |
| Fractured plastic (!) intake manifold (upper plenum) resulting in loss of coolant over the course of about four weeks until the problem was finally diagnosed. had to have this problem analyzed and eventually remedied at a cost of around $700.00 total. why on earth is this crucial component plastic? *jb | |||
| 09/02/2003 | 75463 | 1 | |
| Car was running rough, esp. on starting. made appointment with dealer who couldn't look at it for a week. we realized it was losing coolant, but there was no apparent leakage under the car or hood, etc. filled with coolant, drove approx. 4 miles then engine light came on and stayed on. checked oil and it was over full. called the dealer back with the new symptoms and was told it was a common problem with this type of car to have coolant leak into the oil (then into engine) and it probably needed manifold work $600.--$700. had car towed to dealer where they found the manifold did need to be replaced. in researching, we have found that this is a common problem in 88's and sometime results in engine fires. we are wondering why there hasn't been a recall and why would the manufacturer use plastic in engine parts!? *jb | |||
| 127993 | 1 | ||
| The vehicle would not start because the intake manifold leaked antifreeze into the cylinder. *nlm | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY | |||
| 11/05/2002 | 102990 | 1 | |
| The vehicle's manifold ruptured prior to recall notification. the consumer requested reimbursement but was denied. *nm the consumer was denied because the part replaced was not the part covered by the recall. *nm | |||
| 08/16/2003 | 73200 | 1 | 04/09/2001 |
| While merging into interstate rush hour traffic with no warning engine failed causing lost of braking and steering effectiveness. no warning was received. vehicle was towed to dealer and upper intake was found cracked allowing coolant to enter combustion chamber. one week and $800.00 later car was repaired vehicle continues to experience fuel delivery problems. hard starting, random stalling. dealer advised me this is a common problem with the 3800 series ii engine regardless of mileage or type of use and maintenance. considering the sudden lost of all power this is very dangerous as braking and steering effectiveness is reduced as is electrical power for accessories such as headlamps and windshield wipers. *jb | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 28000 | ||
| The plastic fuel line split and leaked fuel into the engine compartment of my mother's 1998 oldsmobile 88. had she not smelled the fuel and parked the car, i'm sure there would have been a fire.*jb | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT | |||
| 09/02/2007 | 64469 | 1 | 09/18/1998 |
| Driver side seat belt jammed and is unusable. gm website limits contact to existing brands. there is no provision for oldsmobile owners, and no dealerships to contact. *tr | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | |||
| 10/27/2003 | 0 | ||
| 1998 oldsmobile 88 ls, anti-lock braking systems, system check operational and no warning light on every start up. but at 70,000 plus miles in one week's timeframe, abs brakes intermittently have a hard grab at the end of a complete stop at intersections. but the abs system has progressively worse and alternates at one or two of the brakes, whether in the front or rear brakes, causing a loud sound. front pads and rotors are new within the last 5,000 miles and rear drum brakes are at 55% linings.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 01/01/2002 | 44000 | 200 | 01/01/1997 |
| Starting early 2002 with only 45000 miles on the 1998 oldsmobile 88 the warning light advising abs was not operating came on intermittantly. took to cuesta cadillac oldsmobile dealer in san luis obispo calif and was advised that rear brake cylinders were leaking and should be replaced. we did that but intermittant dash error light warnings continued. in 2003 the dealer said to contact gm and request repair but gm refused to accept responsibility. abs system still inoperative intermittantly and dealer says they will replace abs pump for $2000 but will not guarantee that it will be fixed. *jb | |||
| 01/10/2003 | 60350 | 3 | 09/12/2001 |
| Anti-lock braking system has failed 3 times. 1st time was 01-10-03. 2nd time was 04-11-03 and 3rd time was 04-21-03. ist time resulted in accident and last 2 times i was able to get off highway before rear ending the car in front of me. i will enter the last time this happened. *jb | |||
| 01/10/2003 | 60500 | 3 | 09/12/2001 |
| Anti- lock braking system has failed 3 times resulting in one accident. i had it checked out and nothing can be found with wrong with the system. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 03/09/2000 | 2 | 02/01/2098 | |
| On our 1998 oldsmobile the second failure of the intake upper mainifold was at 95,918 miles on 08/24/2002. does this mean that general motor's intake mainifolds are only good for an average of 54,000 miles? we had a 1997 buick with the same motor and same intake upper mainifold that failed at 71,000 miles just two weeks ago! dt | |||
| TIRES - TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | |||
| 04/20/2006 | 190000 | 1 | 01/01/1998 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile 88 ls. when attempting to change a flat tire the plastic nut that secured the spare tire would not retract. the nut was broken with a hammer so that the tire could be changed. the current mileage was unknown because he no longer owns the vehicle. the failure mileage was 190,000. updated 09/12/07 *tr | |||
| WHEELS - LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS | |||
| 04/20/2006 | 190000 | 1 | 01/01/1998 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile 88 ls. when attempting to change a flat tire the plastic nut that secured the spare tire would not retract. the nut was broken with a hammer so that the tire could be changed. the current mileage was unknown because he no longer owns the vehicle. the failure mileage was 190,000. updated 09/12/07 *tr | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL | SYLACAUGA | 35150 | PREMIERE PONTIAC | 256-245-0900 |
| AR | MONTICELLO | 71655 | LUCKY'S OF MONTICELLO | 870-367-6000 |
| CA | SAN LUIS OBISPO | 93405 | CUESTA CADILLAC OLDS | 805-543-1700 |
| CT | GREENWICH | 06830 | GREENWICH CADILLAC - OLDSMOBILE | |
| MN | APPLE VALLEY | 55124 | VALLEY BUICK, PONTIAC, GMC | 952-432-9500 |
| MN | WHITE BEAR | 55110 | WHITEBEAR SUPERSTORE | |
| MO | HAZELWOOD | 63042 | BROCK OLDSMOBILE | |
| NC | SOUTHERN PINES | 28387 | BILL SMITH FORD LINCOLN MERCURY | 1-800-551-3673 |
| NJ | MOUNT HOLLY | 08060 | MILLERS OLDSMOBILE | 609-267-4000 |
| NM | ROSWELL | DESERT SUN | 5016251000 | |
| OH | DAYTON | ROBERTS OLDS | ||
| VA | PORTSMOUTH | 23703 | ACTION CADILLAC GMC TRUCK | 757-397-7041 |
| VA | WILLIAMSBURG | 23185 | HOLIDAY OLDSMOBILE | 757-253-1960 |