1999 oldsmobile 4.8l engine will shut completely off unexpectedly while driving. This occurs both at highways speeds of 65 MPH or at slower speeds of 35 or 35 MPH. All of the power assisted features such as power brakes and steering also stop working when the engine stops. The engine shutting defect does not occur daily and is unpredictable. The only check engine code present was a "egr valve" code. The egr valve was replaced at the cost of $344.00. The engine shutting off unexpectedly defect has continued to occur after the check engine repair was completed. This is an extreme safety issue that appears to replicate the gm ignition switch recall that this VIN is not included in. From "googling" this defect it appears to affect a large number of similar vehicles with 3.8l gm engines and electrical systems.
1999 Oldsmobile 88 engine problems
33 complaints (43% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 92,320.
- owner complaints
- 33
- of this car's complaints
- 43%
- typical mileage
- 92,320
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe8
- Engine: gasoline8
- Engine3
- Cooling system2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Oldsmobile 88 engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine compartment fire
By letter dated march 12, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by the federal safety agency recall number 08v‑118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 buick regal gs and pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of gm's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from august 1996 to june 2003 and the grand prix gtp from march 1996 through january 2003.according to gm, oil may escape past the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3-5) and deposit onto hot exhaust system components.under certain conditions, it is possible for this oil to ignite a small pilot flame, which may spread to the adjacent plastic spark plug wire channel, the spark plug wires themselves, the plastic engine cover, and other under hood components.reports indicate this most often occurs on higher-mileage vehicles shortly after the vehicle has been driven and then parked.typically, the fire was discovered within 5 to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked.during this time window, under hood temperatures may become elevated.such elevated temperatures combined with a lack of airflow through the engine compartment may permit a small pilot flame to propagate and ignite other fuel sources.to correct the safety defect, gm will install an improved design front valve cover gasket and spark plug wire retainer.this remedy will be suppliedfree of charge for all recalled vehicles.until sufficient parts become available to repair all of the affected vehicles, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions: (1) they strongly recommend that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, carport, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle - the dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; and (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the subject fire incident rate on the c-, g-, and h-platform subject vehicles is low.the agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.accordingly, this investigation is closed.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.
EA07008
What 1999 Oldsmobile 88 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tried to start car to go to work in the morning of 6-16-14. Heard loud boom and smoke started pouring out from under hood. Opened hood and engine was on fire. Extinguished flames and found the intake mainifold had litterally blown apart. There was a recall that should have dealt with this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile 88. The contact stated that while traveling 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as the engine overheated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed that the failure was caused by a hole that had melted in the intake manifold, causing coolant to leak into the manifold. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 72,602 and the current mileage was 73,102.
1999 oldsmobile 88 plastic intake manifold cracked due to hot pipe routed near it (per the mechanic). This allowed coolant and oil into the engine. Engine is making bad clanking noise. Cost to replace intake, replace plugs, new sensor was $1096. It appears from reading arfc website that this is a common problem and manufacturers defect.
My oldsmobile 88 year 1999 had engine failure in 2005 with only 59,930 miles. The upper plemum desintegrated allowing coolant into the cylinders, locking up engine. No warning except rapid raise in engine temperature only about a minute to pull over into a parking lot.
I brought my car in to the dealership for an oil leak and while there the mechanic also checked the coolant level. It was low. He pressure tested the system and found the coolant cap to be not sealing properly. I paid for my repairs and left. The next morning the check engine light came on. I brought the car back to the dealership. They found the engine was misfiring. They checked the coolant level again and it was dry. The intake manifold had melted and coolant had leaked into the engine and was consumed by the engine. Now I need a new intake manifold, gaskets, spark plugs, wires, and an oil change to the tune of $800+. I have searched on the internet and found many similar complaints. Why does gm not do anything. The intake manifold was plastic. Plastic does not belong in an engine. I hope you make them recall this.
Was driving my 99 olds 88 up a hill in tn and it started to shake and lose power. The check engine light came home and the engine was excessively hot. All of the radiator would take the fluid but nothing would leak out. I pulled the car over and waited for it to cool down but then after the 3rd time trying to start it, it made a clunk noise and wouldn't start any more. I was told it was a hydraulic lock up. Car sat for 5 months and finally got the money to have it towed to a collision center to have it looked at. I wish to be reimbursed after it is fixed.
I experienced stalls and power surges. Dealer replaced fuel pressure regulator due to recall. Six months later car reached extremely high temperature then died. Mechanic replaced cracked plenum. Gaskets, pipes, assembly, seals and sensor resulting in $1234 repair bill. Contacted gm and got full reimbursement as vehicle has only 37,000 miles on engine. Less than 250 miles after repair, engine produces loud knocking noise and loss of power while driving home from town 90 miles from home on july 4th. Mechanic says one of the pistons/rods is bad, more then likely a result of the previous problems. Have not been successful in reaching the extremely helpful customer service representative I was dealing with from gm but I will not drop this! Last quote for current repair was $1100.
I have replaced the plenum in my 1999 oldsmobile 88 twice now!!! I have a 3800 motor in it with 107,000 miles on it. I have talked to many people that have had to replace their plenums also and my mother had to change hers with 40,000 miles on her car! The plenum is made of plastic and is junk!!! Gm needs to step up and take care of this problem, I have spent over $1,000 fixing this inferior part! I own 3 gm products and I will never buy another if gm does not take responsibility for this!
Received recall #04v090000 concerning fuel pressure regulator. Took vehicle to dealership and had it repaired on 3/18/2005. Recall repairs failed when 4 days later, on 3/24/2005, the manifold ruptured and caused water to leak into the oil. Had not taken vehicle back to dealer.
Questions about the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 engine
Does the 1999 Oldsmobile 88 have engine problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints about the engine of the 1999 Oldsmobile 88, 43% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1999 Oldsmobile 88 engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 92,320 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1999 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 1999 Oldsmobile 88 problems
Fuel system 13Electrical 9Transmission 8Brakes 6Seat belts 4Steering 4Acceleration 3Body 3Lights 3Suspension 2Visibility 2Airbags 1
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