Oldsmobile 88 owners have reported 11 unknown or other related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common unknown or other problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's unknown or other (11 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other problems |
Paint on hood of care is flaking off. Started with a small spot several months ago, when I washed my care today the garden hose washed several flakes of the hood paint away. The size now is bigger than a dollar bill. The paint isn't sticking to the primer.
I went to the dealer and complained that the paint was chipping. I had in hand 4 estimates and each paint/body shop arrived at the same conclusion, "paint laminate" problem. Every person who wrote an estimate told me that this was a gm problem. The last place I went to was the gm dealer in countryside, IL, (celozzi-ettleson). One of the service consultants (kevin anderson) talked to the boss (darren d'andre) and returned with a paper indicating to me that the warranty had expired once the car was three years old. Since I have never had a car that had such a paint chipping problem, I decided to pursue this matter.
Paint on right fender starting to peel. Took to the dealership and they told me the car was more than 5 years old and gm would not pay for it. Still working on getting them to paint it.
Transmission: upper plate gasket went, causing gear slippage at high speeds which gradually became worse in the lower gears. Transmission replaced under warrenty. Transmission was replaced with a rebuilt unit which is now exhibiting much of the same slippage at high speeds (only minorly at the moment) @ 156,000km. Engine: first engine had the egr/exhaust design defect that causes the intake manifold to melt and coolant to poor into the engine. Report from the shop was that entire bottom end was destroyed by the coolant, and a full new engine had to be ordered (complete with accessories, etc. ). The new engine's idler for the serpentine had the bearing cease, knocking the belt off. Since the waterpump was belt driven, the engine overheated. The car was left to idle in the parking lot for a total time of ~ 5-15min. (the temperature out was somewhere around -40c / -40f. ). Brakes: perhaps cronically undersized for this vehicle, rotors have warped like clockwork every 30,000km. They are currently warped approaching 160,000km and will need to be replaced --- again --- shortly. This is not a car that see's much heavy use. Groceries on weekends, ~ 15-20km max. Total daily trip during workdays. It has yet to accomplish an extended road trip (I. E. , north bay -> ottawa or north bay -> toronto, 4 hours (~400km) and 3 hours (~300km) respectively) without the 'check engine' light being lit. Additional recollection: front fog lights constantly filling with condensation as well, have been replaced 4-5 times while under warrenty. No solution was found and now they're just not used.
Engine began to run very rough and check engine light began to flash. Pulled car off roadway. Gasket had failed sending coolant into the engine, damaging the manifolds.
Hood would not stay open. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. . Consumer also stated the check engine light illuminated.
Alternator made loud high-pitched whine - replaced at my expense. Gear indicator on console des not function in cold temperatures.
Remote control does not lock trunk, but unlocks it.
Vehicle experiencing problems on plastic upholstery on arm rest, replacement of water pump and starter, plastic intake manifold, and blowing up of the engine gasket.
Fuel indicator does not illuminate when fuel is low no oil gauge indicator to show low level of oil. (design flaw).
1998 Oldsmobile 88.