1986 Oldsmobile Calais Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 221,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and fuel system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 221,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Electrical system3 43%
- Engine cooling3 43%
- Fuel system2 29%
- Steering2 29%
- Equipment1 14%
- Other or unknown1 14%
- Seat belts1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
- Tires1 14%
- Wheels1 14%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Aachen auto replace three times in 2 years, now 24 hours after last repair, will not replace or tow for free. Aachen auto/keb is aviding phone calls and not giving me an alternative topaying for their faulty altenator again.”
NHTSA complaint #763323, filed 2002-06Engine cooling: “I have had nothing but problems with this car. I bought it used 2 years ago for $1000.00 and have spend close to $2000.00 just keeping the thing running. I now am in the process of replacing the electric computer modular and that is costing me another $440.00 and not there is a loud grinding and banging coming from the front end when I drive it. I heard that this car was a good model and found out on my own it is a nightmare on wheels. I am a single mother, student with not much money and I depend on a reliable car . This model has spent more time parked than it has been driven. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071286, filed 2004-01, 221,000 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 221,000 and 221,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Oldsmobile Calais version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calais FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Calais FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Calais FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V124000Aug 10, 1987Body and structureCovers: Oldsmobile Calais 1985–1986, Buick Regal 1985–1986, Pontiac Grand AM 1985–1986
Small cracks may develop in the body pillar around the door striker bolt hole.
- 86V121000Aug 28, 1986Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: Oldsmobile Calais 1985–1986
The secondary hood latch may be incorrectly aligned, or may exhibit a binding condition of the latch pivot. Consequence of defect: this condition could result in the primary hood latch not being completely engaged to the hood, the hood could unexpectedly…
Recall details for the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais.
Other model years of the Oldsmobile Calais
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 12 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 18 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 18 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 5 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 7 | 221,000 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Oldsmobile Calais model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais (Calais, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 221,000 miles and the middle half falls between 221,000 and 221,000 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.