Complaints
107
Crashes
7
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#18 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Crash-related:1
#28 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#38 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | 1 | — | 120,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Oldsmobile Cutlass Years
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 107 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components (8 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc (8 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper (8 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 120,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
NHTSA complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass include 7 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Oldsmobile Cutlass reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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