1986 Oldsmobile 88: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 8 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 1 |
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist: 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 | 0 |
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: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 8 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484667 · 1995-08-03 (August 3, 1995)
POWER BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER SERVICE RECALL (86-C-15). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487740 · 1995-11-07 (November 7, 1995)
REPLACED STARTER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008047 · 2002-04-19 (April 19, 2002)
VEHICLE STALLS ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER FIRST START, MOSTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859030 · 2000-03-22 (March 22, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING WENT INTO EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION WITHOUT INDICATION DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL BEING STUCK. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WAS INJURED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973889 · 1995-10-25 (October 25, 1995)
STEERING EFFORT INCREASES DURING COLD WEATHER. TT STEERING WAS HARD AND JERKY WHEN THE VEHICLE FIRST STARTS ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 977051 · 1995-12-27 (December 27, 1995)
AFTER ENGAGING DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE, POPS RIGHT OUT; USE FRONT MIDDLE BELT; PASSENGER SHOULDER RESTRAINT DOESN'T FUNCTION AT ALL,AS THOUGH NOTHING IS THERE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984051 · 1996-05-03 (May 3, 1996)
FAILUE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT SUDDENLY IS LOOSE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985676 · 1996-06-17 (June 17, 1996)
VEHICLE REVVED EXTREMELY HIGH WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. DLRS. DIAGNOSIS: IDLE CONTROL MOTOR FAILED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985676 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V122000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1986-08-28 (August 28, 1986)
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.
Remedy: REPLACE AND TIGHTEN BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT STUD NUTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗