Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Oldsmobile Calais, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 1995 | 3 | 4 |
| Jul 1995 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 1995 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 1995 | 1 | 7 |
| Mar 1996 | 1 | 8 |
| Apr 1996 | 2 | 10 |
| Sep 1996 | 1 | 11 |
| Feb 1997 | 2 | 13 |
| Mar 1997 | 1 | 14 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 15 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 16 |
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 17 |
| Feb 2000 | 1 | 18 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BRAKE PERFORMANCE
===
BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS
There is no summary currently available
QUAD 4 ENG WIRING FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
BATTERY FAILED. *MJS
VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL QUAD-4 ENGINE HEADS. NO HELP FROM OLDSMOBILE DUE TO AGE/MILEAGE. *AK
THERE IS A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FROM OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE SHAKING AND KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. *AK
SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
OWNER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, OWNER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK
ELECTRICAL LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SHORTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE DOOR AND WILL NOT BUCKLE.
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.