Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile Calais, most frequently naming the engine, interior & seats and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| Apr 1995 | 1 | 2 |
| May 1995 | 3 | 5 |
| Nov 1995 | 2 | 7 |
| Dec 1995 | 1 | 8 |
| Feb 1996 | 1 | 9 |
| Aug 1996 | 1 | 10 |
| Oct 1996 | 2 | 12 |
| Dec 1996 | 1 | 13 |
| Feb 1999 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 15 |
| Nov 1999 | 1 | 16 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 17 |
| Nov 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
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON A STREET APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, ROUGH IDLE/ VEHICLE RAN HOT, AND TURNED OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
REAR ENDED WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT BY SUB COMPACT SPEEDING AT APROX. 30 MPH. BOTH FRONT SEATS FOLDED BACK TO REAR SEATS (NON RECLINING TYPE) REAR DOORS JAMMED .MED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT AT 30 MPH REAR LEFT STRUT BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNTING AND BUSTED THROUGH THE TRUNK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 25-30MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD NO WARNING. NOTICED FLAMES AROUND FLOORBOARD & COMING FROM THE TRUNK. PULLED OVER & LEFT VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK EXPLODED. RECALL FOR FUEL LINE #92V150000. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
PASSENGER'S SEATBACK LATCH FAILED, ALLOWING SEATBACK TO COME FORWARD TOWARD WINDSHIELD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
FRONT SEATS DO NOT LOCK IN POSITION.
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
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.