The Most Common Oldsmobile Problems
Transmission failure, overheating, coolant leaks, and electrical faults are all common Oldsmobile problems.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Overheating, coolant leaks, electrical faults, and transmission failures are some of the most common problems found in Oldsmobiles—but there are more that you should be aware of.
Founded in 1897, Oldsmobile became one of the original members of General Motors (GM) in 1908. For over a century, they produced some of the sturdiest and most dependable cars on the road. GM permanently closed Oldsmobile in 2004—but while it lasted, Oldsmobile was one of the oldest, most respected, and most reliable car manufacturers in the world.
However, even the best cars have occasional problems—especially when they’ve already got a lot of miles on them. If you own (or are thinking of buying) an Oldsmobile, you should be aware of the mechanical troubles that you’re likely to face. That’s why
Jerry
—the car insurance
comparison super app—has put together this detailed look at the most common Oldsmobile problems. We also explain how this could impact your Oldsmobile insurance costs
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What are the most common Oldsmobile problems?
Every model of Oldsmobile has different issues that it tends to deal with. However, there are a few overarching trends regarding the most common Oldsmobile problems across all models.
Five of Oldsmobile's most popular models—the Alero, the Intrigue, the Aurora, the Cutless Supreme, and the Delta 88—tend to have these issues in common:
- Engine overheating due to coolant loss
- Engine failure/stalling
- Steering trouble (often related to leaking power steering fluid)
- Malfunctioning exterior lights
- Service brakes issues
- Faulty electrical systems
- Suspension problems
Out of all the models that Oldsmobile made, the 2001
Alero
had the most chronic issues and was likely the least reliable car they ever produced. In fact, 34% of all the complaints ever made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
about Aleros were about the 2001 iteration. Most Oldsmobiles are significantly more reliable than that though. The indomitable first-generation
Delta 88
s, for instance, have a sterling reputation for reliability. For a complete breakdown of the most common Oldsmobile problems in the five models mentioned above, take a look at the table below.
Model | Starting price | CarComplaints.com PainRank™ | Most common problems | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alero | $18,485 | 17.93 | Overheating, Front struts wearing down prematurely, Leaking coolant, oil, or power steering fluid | 2001 |
Intrigue | $23,160 | 4.25 | Transmission problems, power steering fluid leaks, Performance issues, engine stalling | 2000, 2001, 1999 |
Aurora | $34,725 | 4.93 | Engine stalling, Overheating, Transmission trouble, Fuel level sensor failure | 1997, 2001 |
Cutlass Supreme | $1,212 | 4.94 | Leaking hoses, Engine stalling, EDM failure | 1993 |
Delta 88 | $15,000 | 1.03 | Transmission problems, starter failure, leaking fluids, Anti-theft malfunction | 2018, 2014, 2016 |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversMost common Oldsmobile Alero problems
Average annual repair cost: $300
CarComplaints.com complaints: 1069
If you’re looking for an Oldsmobile, it’s probably best to avoid the Alero model. It’s generally regarded as the least reliable model that Oldsmobile made. From its first iteration in 1998 until its last one in 2004, the Alero was plagued by frequent issues. Here’s an overview of the most common problems with an Oldsmobile Alero:
- Passlock sensor failure, leading to an inability to start the car
- Faulty window control mechanisms
- Failed resistor resulting in dysfunctional AC/heater
- Intake manifold gasketsleak oil and coolant
- Water pump leaks
- Overheating
The Alero also has the highest number of recorded complaints. Given the advanced age of even the newest Aleros, these issues will only become more frequent.
MORE: Are Oldsmobiles expensive to maintain?
Most common Oldsmobile Intrigue problems
Average annual repair cost: $312
CarComplaints.com complaints: 89
The
Oldsmobile Intrigue
, like any classic car, often has issues with transmission failures. In the Intrigue, these issues are often caused by a failing pressure control solenoid and result in erratic shifting. Like most Oldsmobiles, the Intrigue commonly leaks power steering fluid from faulty
steering pressure hoses
. The crankshaft position sensor
will also often fail, which negatively impacts engine performance. Most common Oldsmobile Aurora problems
Average annual repair cost: $353
CarComplaints.com complaints: 64
If you own an
Oldsmobile Aurora
, you can expect to encounter malfunctioning headlights, a leaking radiator (which can lead to overheating), a failing transmission pressure control solenoid, coolant leaking
, and a malfunctioning fuel level sensor. MORE: How different kinds of cars affect your car insurance rates
Most common Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems
Average annual repair cost: $288
CarComplaints.com complaints: 54
The
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
is a fairly reliable car. However, even dependable vehicles have their common issues—especially older ones. Your Cutless may encounter problems such as various hoses and lines developing leaks—this becomes even more common as the car ages. Like many Oldsmobile models, the Cutless often has fuel pump issues that cause the engine to stall out. The engine control modules (ECM) on these models also have been known to fail.
Most common Oldsmobile Delta 88 problems
Average annual repair cost: $329
CarComplaints.com complaints: 11
Since the Delta 88 was discontinued in 1999, you won't see one that’s less than 20 years old. Like any
classic car
, you can expect to see signs of wear throughout the car. The most commonly reported issue for the 88 is that there is no spark—but that can usually be fixed by replacing the ignition control module. After about 100,000 miles, you may start to experience the following Oldsmobile Delta 88 common problems:
- Faulty shock absorbers
- Coolant system failure
- Leaking power steering fluid
- Cannot pass emissions testing
- Transmission failure (often due to a worn-out/broken shift cable)
- Worn out/faulty starter
As long as you’re diligent about keeping to a
basic car maintenance schedule
, you can usually get 200,000 miles or more out of an Oldsmobile Delta 88. MORE: How to make money restoring classic cars
Are Oldsmobile cars reliable?
Yes—Oldsmobiles are generally regarded as sturdy and dependable. Since most of the functioning Oldsmobile vehicles out there are quite old, many of them do not have the delicate high-tech gadgets that so often malfunction in newer cars.
However, since Oldsmobile was shut down in 2004, there are no new models around. Any model that you buy will be more than 20 years old—even well-built cars become less reliable at that age. You’ll need to pay extra attention to the increasing maintenance needs of an Oldsmobile to keep it in good working order.
The least reliable Oldsmobile model: 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
Most common problem: Passlock Sensor failure
NHTSA complaints: 374
The Alero is typically regarded as Oldsmobile’s least reliable model overall—but the 2001 iteration of the Alero was especially disastrous.
These cars will often fail to start due to faulty passlock sensors. Also, the intake manifold gaskets will often leak coolant and/or oil. This, combined with the water pump’s tendency to also leak, results in a lot of overheating issues.
The 2001 Alero has been recalled four separate times. The most extensive recall was due to the widespread defects in the ignition lock cylinders.
The most reliable Oldsmobile model: 1988-1991 Oldsmobile Delta 88
Most common problem: No Spark
NHTSA complaints: 0-4 (depending on the year)
The first generation (1988-1991 models) of the Delta 1988 is probably the most reliable car that Oldsmobile ever created. With proper care, these antiques will run for decades—assuming you can find one that’s still in good condition. CarComplaints.com gives the Delta 88 a PainRank of only 0.26—one of the lowest you’ll ever see. Despite its advanced age, you should only have to spend about $329 a year on repairs and maintenance.
MORE: How to add a Bluetooth adapter to an older car
How to buy hassle-free car insurance
Taking care of an older car requires a lot of maintenance, so it’s a good idea to keep your Oldsmobile covered with good
car insurance
. Unfortunately, many providers view older cars as an increased risk and will charge you more. This can make it tricky to find quality coverage for an affordable price—unless you have Jerry
! Jerry is an automated insurance broker and policy comparison
super app
. In just a few seconds, Jerry can find and compare dozens of customized rates to find you the best possible coverage for the lowest possible rate. You'll see the top rates right inside your smartphone.Downloading the app, choosing a policy, and getting your coverage switched over only takes a few minutes! And the best part is that drivers who use Jerry save an average of $800+ a year!
Download Jerry and start saving time and money today!
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How long do Oldsmobiles last?
Oldsmobiles are hearty and resilient cars. You can usually expect them to run for about 200,000 miles or more.
Why is Oldsmobile unreliable?
For over a century, Oldsmobile cars represented sturdy and simple engineering. However, those Oldsmobiles that are still around are getting pretty advanced in age. Eventually, time gets the better of even the most dependable cars. As they continue to age, the remaining Oldsmobiles will become less and less reliable.
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