1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls 6
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGE…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).
Fix: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER.
Fix: INSTALL A RETAINER ON LEFT REAR CALIPER IF CABLE IS NOT ALREADY RETAINED WITH A COTTER PIN AND ADJUST PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 15 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass — ranges cover the 13 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 8
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION Closed
ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS. THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION. AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED. IN ADDITION TO THE COMPL…
NHTSA #RQ99002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Mar 1999 · closed Apr 2000CRADLE BOLT FAILURES Closed
NHTSA #RQ97017 · Structure · opened Oct 1997 · closed Jun 1997CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES Closed
NHTSA #PE94063 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Aug 1994 · closed Dec 1994REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL Closed
NHTSA #EA91005 · Suspension · opened Oct 1990 · closed Dec 1991BRAKE PERFORMANCE Closed
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NHTSA #EA90041 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Aug 1990 · closed Mar 1992FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH Closed
NHTSA #PE90088 · Exterior Lighting · opened Jun 1990 · closed Oct 1990PARKING BRAKE CABLE Closed
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NHTSA #PE89145 · Parking Brake · opened Jul 1989 · closed Sep 1989THROTTLE NON-RETURN Closed
NHTSA #C89001 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Mar 1989 · closed Jan 1990An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 1
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW
Bulletin 476147 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 1994Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CUTLASS. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Oldsmobile Cutlass
The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a series of automobiles produced by the General Motors' Oldsmobile division between 1961 and 1999. At its introduction, the Cutlass was Oldsmobile's entry-level model; it began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate. The Cutlass was named after Vought F7U Cutlass, as well as the type of sword, which was common during the Age of Sail.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.