1987 Oldsmobile 88 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
150,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Steering: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 5; 1996: 3; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 481911 · 1995-02-26 (February 26, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507690 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054367 · 2004-01-17 (January 17, 2004)
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. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979213 · 1996-02-14 (February 14, 1996)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801932 · 1996-09-06 (September 6, 1996)
WHEN DRIVING AND STOPPING AT A LIGHT THE CAR STALLS AND ONE OCCASION THERE WAS NO POWER AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801932 at NHTSA ↗