1986 Oldsmobile 88 Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Oldsmobile 88 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1986 Oldsmobile 88. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (4) and engine cooling (3). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes4 21%
- Engine cooling3 16%
- Steering3 16%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Electrical system1 5.3%
- Equipment1 5.3%
- Exterior lighting1 5.3%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #859030, filed 2000-03Engine cooling: “When driving at any speed vehicle stalls/ and hesitates. Also, when driving at 30 MPH there is a loss of power. Dealer can't determine the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #848209, filed 1999-09Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 86V122000Aug 28, 1986Suspension › RearCovers: Oldsmobile 88 1986
The left and right rear lower control arm ball joint stud to knuckle attachment may have been inadequately tightened. Consequence of defect: this could allow the rear lower control arm ball joint stud to loosen at the knuckle attachment. A loose ball joint…
Recall details for the 1986 Oldsmobile 88 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE89171BRAKE FAILUREClosed · Sep 26, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Oldsmobile 88.
Other model years of the Oldsmobile 88
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 77 | 66,140 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 164 | 69,080 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 101 | 63,257 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 92 | 125,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 117 | 136,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 63 | 128,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 74 | 70,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 73 | 98,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 16 | 82,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 24 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 27 | 95,626 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 37 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 18 | 150,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 19 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 7 | 92,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 9 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Oldsmobile 88 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Oldsmobile 88 have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1986 Oldsmobile 88 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Oldsmobile 88 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 4.
Has the 1986 Oldsmobile 88 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.