1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight recalls 0
No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight.
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.
1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 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 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 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.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM¿S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS. THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURC…
NHTSA #EA02030 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Oct 2002 · closed Mar 2004An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 39
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. Showing the 10 most recent of 39.
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
Bulletin 19NA273 · Electrical System, Equipment · Dec 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Bulletin 17-NA-073 · Equipment · Mar 2017Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Bulletin 130089009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2013ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION OR COOLANT LEAK (INSPECT FOR MATERIAL DEGRADATION/REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLDS) *TT UPDATED 11/02/07 *NJ
Bulletin 010601007 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2007INTERMITTENT CHUGGLE OR FISHBITE ON LIGHT ACCELERATION OR A HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). *TT
Bulletin 050604058 · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2005NEW UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET KITS. *TT
Bulletin 040601017 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004NEW REAR MAIN SEAL AND SPECIAL TOOL FOR INSTALLATION. *TT
Bulletin 040601021 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT
Bulletin 010601008A · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2002EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION, OR AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK NEAR OR UNDER THE THROTTLE BODY AREA OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TT
Bulletin 010601007A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2001OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *…
Bulletin 990730030A · Power Train · Apr 2001Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the EIGHTY EIGHT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
THESE VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING THAT CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. ALSO, IF A PERSON WAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPEN, AND THIS BACKFIRE CONDITION OCCURRED, IT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. CORRECTION: THE PCM (POWERTRA…
Transport Canada #1996099 · Jul 1996Lights And Instruments
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 114 - LOCKING SYSTEM AND 208 - SEAT BELT INSTALLATIONS. THE MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE MAY CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY BE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER…
Transport Canada #1995195 · Oct 1995Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
The Oldsmobile 88 is a full-size car that was produced by the Oldsmobile Division of GM from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 until 1974, the 88 was the division's most popular line, particularly the entry-level models such as the 88 and Dynamic 88. The 88 series was also an image leader for Oldsmobile, particularly in the model's early years (1949–51), when it was one of the best-performing automobiles, thanks to its relatively small size, light weight, and advanced overhead-valve high-compression V8 engine. This engine, originally designed for the larger and more luxurious C-bodied 98 series, also replaced the straight-8 on the smaller B-bodied 78. With the large, high-performance Oldsmobile Roc…
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.