1988 Oldsmobile Calais Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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 1988 Oldsmobile Calais (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile Calais. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 9 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and seat belts (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system 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.
- Engine cooling9 50%
- Electrical system6 33%
- Seat belts2 11%
- Exterior lighting1 5.6%
- Seats1 5.6%
- Steering1 5.6%
- Body and structure1 5.6%
- Suspension1 5.6%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.6%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The head gasket was replaced before on a secret bulletin. Now 20,000 miles later the head gasket has gone again and has destroyed the engine. Please describe.”
NHTSA complaint #967332, filed 1995-06Complaints 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
- 92V150000Oct 19, 1992Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Oldsmobile Calais 1988–1989, Buick Skylark 1988–1989, Pontiac Grand AM 1988–1989
Front fuel feed hose assembly could crack or separate at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
- 90V042000Mar 5, 1990Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Oldsmobile Calais 1988–1989, Buick Skylark 1988–1989, Pontiac Grand AM 1988–1989
Front fuel feed hose assembly could crack or separate at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Recall details for the 1988 Oldsmobile Calais → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE88020Quad 4 eng wiring failureClosed · Feb 1, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Oldsmobile Calais have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile Calais as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Oldsmobile Calais is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 9 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 1988 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.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.