Oldsmobile CALAIS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
170,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 to 1990 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 46 complaints (28.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 12 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 12; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 44 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 | 26 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 26; 1996: 12; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 977766 · 1996-01-18 (January 18, 1996)
STEERING COLUMN WHEEL HAS CRACKED ON TWO OCCASIONS, INDICATOR LIGHT LEVER ALSO BROKE OFF. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966618 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
THE STEERING DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 977257 · 1996-01-02 (January 2, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLED OUT AND UPON STARTING IGNITION AGAIN ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478091 · 1995-01-09 (January 9, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484191 · 1995-07-17 (July 17, 1995)
TIMING GEAR REPLACED DUE TO TEETH SHEARING, CAUSING NO POWER STEERING/BRAKES/ENGINE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968110 · 1995-07-03 (July 3, 1995)
THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS CHANGE AT 7,000 MILES, CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND FAILED . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968110 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 1 |
1985: 4; 1986: 2; 1987: 1; 1988: 2; 1989: 2; 1990: 1