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1997 Oldsmobile 88 engine problems

27 complaints (27% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 63,257.

owner complaints
27
of this car's complaints
27%
typical mileage
63,257
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine: gasoline
    11
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    6
  • Engine
    3
  • Cooling system
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Oldsmobile 88 engine problems in other years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Oldsmobile 88 engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1997 Oldsmobile 88 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 14, 2016 · Engine · 155,000 miles · VA

Upper intake manifold failure( plastic part) on highway . Engine overheated from coolant leaking inside engine for the 3rd time . First leak coolant outside engine. 2nd time bad oil leak. 3rd time this.

Filed May 27, 2011 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NJ

For several months we were noticing leaks from the car on the driveway. We knew from touching it was not oil. The car started to hesitate at times and feel like it was going to stall out. Eventually it did stall out and continued to do so, it always started right up though, so we knew it wasn't the battery. The check engine light went on when it stalled. We brought it to the shop and they ran a diagnostic and found repair codes p0300 and p0135, which caused the vehicle check engine light to come on resulting in random misfire and 02 sensor heater circuit malfunction. Followed diagnostic troubleshooting flowchart and found faulty 02 sensor and coolant inside cylinder#4. Upon disassembly of intake manifold to inspect system, found intake manifold cracked. Removed and replaced intake manifold assembly, front 02 sensor assembly and spark plugs with all new oem parts. Refilled coolant and bleed system. Rechecked operation, cleared codes. After further research we found that this was a common problem with this car and probably should have been addressed by gm.

Filed Apr 8, 2010 · Engine · 90,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile lss. The contact heard a loud explosion under the hood of the vehicle immediately after it was started. As he opened the hood, he noticed a fire in the engine compartment. He used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. The air intake and device on the engine cover were destroyed as a result of the fire. The manufacturer advised the contact that a product allegation representative would notify him. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2008 · Engine · OK

We have had to replace the (plastic) manifold on our 1997 olds 88 three times in the last five years. This is obviously a manufacturer defect, yet no recall has been issued for this car (while recalls have been issue for similar defects on similar cars). We have spent over $2000 getting this problem fixed and that still doesn't fix the coolant in the engine which cannot be entirely cleared out without removing the engine and incurring other possible problems.

Filed Mar 23, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 55,000 miles · FL

The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected, and the mechanic determined that the plastic intake manifold had a crack, causing fluid to leak onto the engine. *ak the water pump went out and the spark plugs, head gasket starter, and the accelerator cable was replaced. *sc

Filed Mar 15, 2004 · Engine · 20,500 miles · OH

Misfiring, backfiring, stalling and coolant leaks due to leaking plastic intake manifold and gaskets. Dealer claims to have found no problems in sept. 2000. Kept having problems. Took to another repair shop and upper intake gasket was replaced, failed 2 weeks later and was replaced again. Leaks coolant onto floor. Can smell coolant in passenger compartment and garage where parked.

Filed Dec 29, 2003 · Engine · 750,132 miles · TX · fire

Engine manifold exploded when ignition turned to start. Fuel rail bent, fuel regulator damaged, large cloud of smoke and explosive sound occurred. Engine cover split in two.

Filed Dec 9, 2003 · Engine · 63,257 miles · TX

I was driving my 1997 oldsmobile 88 and all of a sudden it went boom and the car stopped suddenly and smoke barrelled out of the engine and would not turn over.I had to be pushed out of the wayto the next parking lot.we had our car towed to a mechanic shop and they said that we needed a a new engine.they in turn towed it to yet another reputable shop and they said that the engine blew due to a faulty intake manifold.it was plastic and with the heat of the engine aloowed it to leak into other parts of the engines cooling system.gm didn't take fault even though they stopped using the plastic manifold and had a recall on it.from my understanding. We filed a complaint with the bbb autoline and the referred us to th attorney generals office in which gm still refuses to take fault because we were not the original owners of the car and the number of miles on the car at around 70,000.the car got an inspection before it was sold, I'm sure toyota would'nt resale a junk to it's customers.it was in showroom condition when we purchased it.

Filed Jul 25, 2003 · Engine · 60,000 miles · MN · fire

The consumer attempted to start the vehicle the engine back fired and caught on fire *mr *cb

Filed May 5, 2003 · Engine · 62,058 miles · NY

When accelerator pedal was depressed, the engine back fired and blew the "plastic" intake manifold. *mr

Questions about the 1997 Oldsmobile 88 engine

Does the 1997 Oldsmobile 88 have engine problems?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Oldsmobile 88, 27% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile 88 engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 63,257 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Oldsmobile 88 engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Oldsmobile 88 have bad engine?

The Oldsmobile 88 model years with the most engine complaints are 1998 (82 complaints), 1999 (33 complaints) and 1997 (27 complaints).

Other 1997 Oldsmobile 88 problems

Electrical 14Transmission 12Brakes 11Fuel system 9Visibility 8Seat belts 6Suspension 6Airbags 5Seats 4Acceleration 3Steering 2Body 1Lights 1Tires 1

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