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1987 Oldsmobile 88Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 1987 Oldsmobile 88, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints189 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 17, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Oldsmobile 88 has problems

18 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
Steering60
Vehicle speed control65
Engine and engine cooling32
Tires20
Visibility10
Seat belts10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Electrical system11

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

2 recalls

1987 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: accelerator pedal

Recall 88V-080 · May 16, 1988 · 35,057 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 87V-135 · Sep 1, 1987 · 479,715 vehicles

Risk. THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER…

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

1987 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 1987 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 steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1) MY 1987 DELTA 88 OLDSMOBILE WILL NOT STEER LEFT WHEN COLD, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. 2) MY BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THEY KEEP PULSATING. THIS WEARS OUT MY TIRES VERY FAST. 3) WHEN FIRST CRANKED, IT WILL DRIVE FOR A MILE AT A MEDIUM RATE…
Complaint 10054367 · Jan 17, 2004
THE STEERING PROBLEM BEGAN IN 1993 AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE STEERING WAS ALMOST INOPERABLE IN COLD TEMPERATURES AT FIRST BUT BECAME A PROBLEM EVEN IN WARM TERMPERATURES. THE WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED TO THE LEFT UNTIL THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR MANY MINUTES. THE PROBLEM INCREASED AND THE…
Complaint 725414 · Jul 14, 2000

Own a 1987 88?

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