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1985 Oldsmobile 88Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 1985 Oldsmobile 88, most often about the tires. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints72 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage93kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 16, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Oldsmobile 88 has problems

7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires42
Seat belts10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1985 Oldsmobile 88 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 89V-102 · Jun 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 vehicles

Risk. SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other 88 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 88 median. How we score

'67'68'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Oldsmobile 88, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILUREPE88027 · closed May 11, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What 88 owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS I'VE HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO TIRES NOT GRIPPING THE ROAD IN RAINY CONDITIONS. LAST OCT. I SLID 2 AND A HALF CAR LENGTHS AND HIT THE REAR OF A VEHICLE AT A STOP SIGN. LAST WEEK IT HAPPENED BUT IT WASN'T AS SERIOUS. MY CLASSIC 1985 OLDS DELTA 88 WAS RUINED. I'VE KEPT DRIVING IT…
Complaint 10330654 · May 16, 2010 · 120,000 miles
RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED, AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENMT INSTALLED AT 30,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE 205/75R15, DOT# UNAVAILABLE. FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. MR *TT *JB
Complaint 8022048 · Nov 1, 2002 · 65,000 miles
THE CAR WAS WOBBLING. PULLING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY OFF THE TIRE AND WOUND AROUND THE REAR AXLE. (DOT NUMBER: HYHHF7B109 TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)
Complaint 733786 · Oct 9, 2000

Own a 1985 88?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.