Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Oldsmobile 88, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Vehicle speed control4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Steering3
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Visibility2
- Power train2
- Suspension1
- Exterior lighting1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
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 STUD COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE. SEPARATION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
NHTSA investigations
BRAKE FAILURE
BRAKE FAILURE
REAR BRAKE PIN
REAR BRAKE PIN
ANTI LOCK BRAKES
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
STALLING
THROTTLE SYSTEM FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation