1987 Oldsmobile 88 Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 1987 Oldsmobile 88 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1987 Oldsmobile 88. The part named most often is steering, with 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (6) and engine cooling (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 150,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.
- Steering6 33%
- Engine cooling3 17%
- Tires2 11%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Electrical system1 5.6%
- Seat belts1 5.6%
Example complaints
Steering: “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 of speed without touching the accelerator because the idle is messed up, even though it has been adjusted. 4) the windshield washer has never worked. All these things continually happen the 5 years I've owned it.”
NHTSA complaint #10054367, filed 2004-01Vehicle speed control: “Park in shopping center in a parking space facing forward got into vehicle and started engine with foot on brake and accelerated forward and hit other cars. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #979213, filed 1996-02Engine cooling: “Crank sensor constantly come loose. Weather changes and temperature changes in the engine cause this change. Realigninment and retightening costs 25.00 each instance. This has occured with the previous owner as well [as I called her and asked her about this problem] this has occured more than 50 time as far as I know. This causes the car to be inoperatable.”
NHTSA complaint #10068953, filed 2004-01, 150,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 150,000 and 150,000 miles.
Complaints 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
- 88V080000May 16, 1988Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCovers: Oldsmobile 88 1987, Pontiac Bonneville 1987, Oldsmobile 98 1987 +1 more
Excessive accelerator cable friction may restrict the cables free movement between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body.
- 87V135000Sep 1, 1987Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakersCovers: Oldsmobile 88 1987, Pontiac Bonneville 1987, Buick Lesabre 1987 +2 more
An in line fusible link may melt down and cause a fire.
Recall details for the 1987 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 1987 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 1987 Oldsmobile 88 have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1987 Oldsmobile 88 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Oldsmobile 88 is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 6.
Has the 1987 Oldsmobile 88 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Oldsmobile 88 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 150,000 miles and the middle half falls between 150,000 and 150,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.