Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1987 Oldsmobile 88: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1987 Oldsmobile 88, most recently filed May 1988. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 2campaigns 1 vehicle speed control · 1 electrical Source: NHTSA Complaints 18filed Owner reports, 1982–1992 shown Source: NHTSA ODI
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1987 Oldsmobile 88. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1987 Oldsmobile 88. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 88V080000 Filed May 16, 1988

FUEL:THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL:PEDAL

Vehicle speed control · accelerator pedal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.
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.
Remedy
REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
Repair progress not yet reported35,057 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V080000
Listed for 1987 Oldsmobile 88. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V135000 Filed Sep 1, 1987

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSE

Electrical system · wiring · fuses and circuit breakers
Official NHTSA text
Summary
AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported479,715 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 87V135000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which 88 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Oldsmobile 88All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (18)

18 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.

6involved a crash
2involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Oldsmobile 88, by component (top 8). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 18.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1987 compares with other 88 years

Best and worst 88 years →
3 9 7 19 18 37 27 24 16 73
1982198419851986198719881989199019911992
This year (1987)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1987 88 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All 88 years

Where to next

Which 88 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1988 Oldsmobile 88 report37 complaints · 0 campaigns →1986 Oldsmobile 88 report19 complaints · 1 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1987 Oldsmobile 88 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1987 Oldsmobile 88 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 88V080000 (vehicle speed control), 87V135000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1987 Oldsmobile 88 problems?

Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (6), Vehicle speed control (6), Engine and engine cooling (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1987 88 compare with other years?

Among the 1982–1992 Oldsmobile 88 model years at least five years old, the 1982 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 1992 the most (73). The 1987 drew 18. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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