1987 Oldsmobile 88
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › 88 › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Oldsmobile 88. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1987 Oldsmobile 88. Newest first.
Excessive accelerator cable friction may restrict the cables free movement between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could prevent throttle from returning to closed(idle) position when accelerator pedal IS released; thus, engine speed wouldnot decrease, and loss of accelerator control could result in an accident.
Remedy
Replace accelerator cable.
An in line fusible link may melt down and cause a fire.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The in line fusible link located in the area of theplastic windshield washer bottle bracket may, under a high resistance load,melt down and ignite the washer bottle bracket resulting in an enginecompartment fire.
Remedy
The windshield washer bottle bracket will be replaced.
Owner complaints
18 complaints6 involved a crash2 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
Crank sensor constantly come loose. Weather changes and temperature changes in the engine cause this change. Realigninment and retightening costs 25.00 each instance. This has occured with the previous owner as well [as I called her and asked her about this problem] this has occured more than 50 time as far as I know. This causes the car to be inoperatable.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Steering · Vehicle speed control · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While traveling on highway, driver noticed that speed started to decrease, driver heard a popping noise and pulled over to investigate, within minutes smoke filled the car with more popping noise and then fire started, no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were sustained, possible engine failure, ohio traffic crash report. *tt
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tire developed a large bubble(4") in tread. *Ak (dot number: W2KC P15 tiresize: 205/75/14)
- Steering › Rack and pinion
The steering problem began in 1993 and got progressively worse. the steering was almost inoperable in cold temperatures at first but became a problem even in warm termperatures. the wheel could not be turned to the left until the car had been running for many minutes. the problem increased and…
The steering problem began in 1993 and got progressively worse. the steering was almost inoperable in cold temperatures at first but became a problem even in warm termperatures. the wheel could not be turned to the left until the car had been running for many minutes. the problem increased and the difficulty in steering to the left occurred while driving the vehicle, even in summer months. it became a hazard. I had it repaired at a cost of $1,200 and the mechanics were familiar with this problem on this year and model vehicle. they also indicated the engine mount appeared to be faulty. minnesota was missed on the recall for this problem and gm has been forced to add this onto a recall list but the oldsmobile 88 delta IS not included. your web site indicates over 50 problems with rack and pinion steering for this year and model. there was an obvious failure to warn on the part of gm to drivers of this year and model car. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Tires
Right wheel failed.
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
When consumer released the accelerator pedal it stuck , the vehicle did not return to idle, causing a collision. The dealer has been notified. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine compartment fire. (Ohio state police report)
- Steering
When driving along vehicle starts to make a loud noise. it becomes hard to steer and eventually loses control. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
'Cold power steering'.
- Electrical system › Ignition
When driving and stopping at a light the car stalls and one occasion there was no power and caused an accident . Please describe .*ak
- Steering
'Cold power steering'. *Dh
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Accelerator cable stuck, causing sudden acceleration/accident. *Dsh
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration, causing accident prior to recall. (88v-080)
- Vehicle speed control
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
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Both front seat belts had to be replaced. would not pull out. tt
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration, causing loss of control/accident/injury. *skd
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake failure
There is no summary currently available
- Brake failure
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- Rear brake pin
Summary:these vehicles have rear drum brakes.the parking lever pivotpin IS held by an e ring.when the ring fails, parts of the ring andpin fall loose into the drum and may jam the brake, locking the wheel.a stronger e ring IS used in 1988 and newer cars.this investigationhas been expanded to include gms c body cars listed above (e ring commonto all cars shown).===
- Rear brake pin
===
- Anti lock brakes
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- Throttle non-return
There is no summary currently available
- Stalling
Summary:the complaints allege that stalling IS due to various faultycomponents of the fuel injection and/or ignition system. The followingmodels are involved:buick electra, lesabre, rivera, century; olds cutlassciera, 88, 98, toronado; pontiac bonneville.status:this investigation IS ongoing.we are continuing to…
Summary:the complaints allege that stalling IS due to various faultycomponents of the fuel injection and/or ignition system. The followingmodels are involved:buick electra, lesabre, rivera, century; olds cutlassciera, 88, 98, toronado; pontiac bonneville.status:this investigation IS ongoing.we are continuing to analyzeinformation provided by gm and are preparing an additional informationrequest to gm to clarify certain technical items.===
- Throttle system failure
Summary of information from manufacturer:gm reported knowledge of 137owner complaints, 317 field reports, and 2 lawsuits, in addition to thereports received directly by the nhtsa.the reports received by gm citethe occurrence of 263 accidents,including 77 injury accidents, 100 injuriesand 1 fatality.several possible…
Summary of information from manufacturer:gm reported knowledge of 137owner complaints, 317 field reports, and 2 lawsuits, in addition to thereports received directly by the nhtsa.the reports received by gm citethe occurrence of 263 accidents,including 77 injury accidents, 100 injuriesand 1 fatality.several possible modes of throttle control system failure or malfunctionare under consideration in this pe, including self-actuation, failure todeactivate upon driver command, and throttle system sticking or binding.having evaluated the 456reports received directly and the 36 consumercomplaints submitted by nhtsa, gm indicated that no meaningful frequencyor mode of malfunction could be identified to suggest the existence of adefect which relates to motor vehicle safety.several design/manufacturing changes were identified as relevant to thesubject of this pe; however, no service bulletins or recall notificationshave been issued on throttle control system problems.analysis:during gm's compilation and evaluation of information requiredto respond to the nhtsa's request, indications were given to odi that thenumber of consumer and other reports clearly suggested the existence of asafety problem and that corrective action by the manufacturer were inorder.gm's formal letter response, however, retreated from this position.notwithstanding the incomplete analysis of information submitted to thenhtsa, the numbers of owner and field reports, together with clear datato show that throttle system failures have resulted in significant numbersof accidents and injuries, indicate that a more rigorous evaluation of thismatter IS in order.===
Every Oldsmobile 88 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.