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1986 Oldsmobile 88Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 1986 Oldsmobile 88, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints192 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 19, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Oldsmobile 88 has problems

19 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
Vehicle speed control41
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Engine and engine cooling30
Steering30
Fuel system, gasoline20
Visibility20
Power train20
Wheels10
Equipment10
4 other systems40

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

1 recall

1986 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.

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

1986 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
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Oldsmobile 88, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. STALLINGEA87022 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  3. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  4. BRAKE FAILUREEA90017 · closed Apr 22, 1991
    No recall
  5. THROTTLE SYSTEM FAILUREPE87041 · closed Nov 30, 1987
    No recall
  6. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
  7. REAR BRAKE PINPE89101 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    No recall
  8. BRAKE FAILUREPE89171 · closed Mar 26, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What 88 owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE TRAVELING WENT INTO EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION WITHOUT INDICATION DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL BEING STUCK. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WAS INJURED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Complaint 859030 · Mar 22, 2000

Own a 1986 88?

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