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Oldsmobile 88 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Oldsmobile 88 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
34
Years to Avoid
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992
Best Years
1983, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967
2000
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.39 TSBs
1999Avoid
106 complaints2 recalls3 invest.32 TSBs
1998Avoid
213 complaints1 recalls1 invest.29 TSBs
1997Avoid
129 complaints0 recalls1 invest.43 TSBs
1996Avoid
113 complaints2 recalls1 invest.32 TSBs
1995Avoid
150 complaints1 recalls44 TSBs
1994
91 complaints1 recalls24 TSBs
1993
99 complaints1 recalls1 invest.17 TSBs
1992Avoid
109 complaints1 recalls5 invest.15 TSBs
1991
16 complaints2 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1990
28 complaints2 recalls
1989
32 complaints2 recalls
1988
46 complaints0 recalls4 invest.
1987
22 complaints2 recalls8 invest.
1986
33 complaints1 recalls8 invest.
1985
7 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1984
9 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982
13 complaints1 recalls
1981Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1979
2 complaints3 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1977
1 complaints2 recalls
1976Best Year
2 complaints1 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972
1 complaints3 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1968
0 complaints3 recalls
1967Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Oldsmobile 88 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992 Oldsmobile 88 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Oldsmobile 88, consider the 1983, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

34 model years analyzed