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 7 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.
Electrical System. Review the 3 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 →
Fuel System, Gasoline. 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.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
221,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I BOUGHT IT USED 2 YEARS AGO FOR $1000.00 AND HAVE SPEND CLOSE TO $2000.00 JUST KEEPING THE THING RUNNING. I NOW AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE ELECTRIC COMPUTER MODULAR AND THAT IS COSTING ME ANOTHER $440.00 AND NOT THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING AND BANGING COMING FROM THE FRONT EN…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I BOUGHT IT USED 2 YEARS AGO FOR $1000.00 AND HAVE SPEND CLOSE TO $2000.00 JUST KEEPING THE THING RUNNING. I NOW AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE ELECTRIC COMPUTER MODULAR AND THAT IS COSTING ME ANOTHER $440.00 AND NOT THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING AND BANGING COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN I DRIVE IT. I HEARD THAT THIS CAR WAS A GOOD MODEL AND FOUND OUT ON MY OWN IT IS A NIGHTMARE ON WHEELS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER, STUDENT WITH NOT MUCH MONEY AND I DEPEND ON A RELIABLE CAR . THIS MODEL HAS SPENT MORE TIME PARKED THAN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN. I WOULD LOVE TO SET THIS CAR ON FIRE IT HAS MADE MY LIFE SO STRESSFUL. I WILL NEVER IN MY LIFE EVER OWN ANOTHER OLDSMOBILE.
NHTSA ODI #10071286
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Electrical System
AACHEN AUTO REPLACE THREE TIMES IN 2 YEARS, NOW 24 HOURS AFTER LAST REPAIR, WILL NOT REPLACE OR TOW FOR FREE. AACHEN AUTO/KEB IS AVIDING PHONE CALLS AND NOT GIVING ME AN ALTERNATIVE TOPAYING FOR THEIR FAULTY ALTENATOR AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #763323
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE STALLES WHEN IT OVERHEATS. VEHICLE FAILS TO START WHEN HOT UNTIL ENGINE COOLS DOWN. ALSO, REPLACED IGNITION/COIL AND STARTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #525173
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 1996
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire
WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLED OUT AND UPON STARTING IGNITION AGAIN ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT
NHTSA ODI #977257
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 1995
Seat Belts
THE FRONT BUCKLES IN THE CAR HAVE FALLEN APART AND WILL NOT LATCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ODI #970446
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1995
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED HEAD AT 62,000 MILES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ODI #969568
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 1995
Steering
THE STEERING DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY BE INCORRECTLY ALIGNED, OR MAY EXHIBIT A BINDING CONDITION OF THE LATCH PIVOT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH NOT BEING COMPLETELY ENGAGED TO THE HOOD, THE HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING COULD OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WILL BE REPLACED AND INSPECT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH POP-UP LEVER.
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
2
EA91045 · Seat Belt Separation
Opened Nov 7, 1991 · Closed Oct 26, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE91099 · Safety Belt Cut At D-RING
Opened Jul 15, 1991 · Closed Nov 7, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
1986 Oldsmobile Calais Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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