Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
18 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringVehicle Speed Control
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 TH…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10054367
150,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
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 CAUSE…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10068953
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
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 REP…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #564041
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2001
Tires
TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE BUBBLE(4") IN TREAD. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2KC P15 TIRESIZE: 205/75/14)
NHTSA ODI #751612
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
Steering
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 TH…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #725414
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2000
Steering
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717203
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 1997
Tires
RIGHT WHEEL FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #604722
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1997
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHEN CONSUMER RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT STUCK , THE VEHICLE DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE, CAUSING A COLLISION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #819910
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 1996
Steering
WHEN DRIVING ALONG VEHICLE STARTS TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. IT BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND EVENTUALLY LOSES CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #805734
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
8
EA90017 · Brake Failure
Opened Mar 26, 1990 · Closed Apr 22, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE89171 · Brake Failure
Opened Sep 26, 1989 · Closed Mar 26, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
EA89028 · Rear Brake Pin
Opened Jul 28, 1989 · Closed Jul 27, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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).===
PE89101 · Rear Brake Pin
Opened Mar 15, 1989 · Closed Jul 28, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
PE89098 · Anti Lock Brakes
Opened Mar 10, 1989 · Closed May 17, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
C89001 · Throttle NON-RETURN
Opened Mar 6, 1989 · Closed Jan 16, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA87022 · Stalling
Opened Aug 27, 1987 · Closed Nov 27, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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.===
PE87041 · Throttle System Failure
Opened Aug 4, 1987 · Closed Nov 30, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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.===
1987 Oldsmobile 88 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration