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: 2 of 16 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Parking Brake. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reports
50,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE EXHIBITED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY CARBON BUILD-UP IN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE EXHIBITED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY CARBON BUILD-UP IN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10584216
115,000 miles · Dec 17, 2003
Parking Brake
RECALL 91V167000 CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE LEAVER ASSEMBLY: AT THE TIME OF VEHICLE INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEAVER WAS ON RECALL. THE LEAVER WAS RELEASING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL WHEN ON AN INCLINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051691
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL TANK METER LINES WERE RUSTED CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #557713
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1999
Parking Brake
THE LOCK TO THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SITTING THE BRAKE WILL RELEASE ON ITS OWN, AND SOMETIMES IT RELEASES SOON AS IT'S APPLIED. BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854059
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
TWO BRAKE FAILURES ON HIGHWAY, ONCE RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705913
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND WENT TO APPLY FOR THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONSUMER CRACKED ONE OF THE BRAKE SHOES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827503
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1998
Electrical System
ENGINE IGNITION WIRES BETWEEN FUEL INJECTORS AND ENGINE CONTROL UNIT ON COMPUTER, ONE WIRE WAS BROKEN.
NHTSA ODI #539079
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1998
Electrical System
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #534773
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 1998
Power TrainFire
TRANSMISSION CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE A SEAL BLEW OUT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #820259
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1997
Seat Belts
REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT . THE PASSENGER HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE BELT. *AK
WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
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
1
EA93011 · Fuel Line Failure
Opened May 3, 1993 · Closed May 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
1991 Oldsmobile 88 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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