1985 Oldsmobile 88

○ Not enough data
1985 Oldsmobile 88
RENDERED 2026-08-02T14:03:12.548Z

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Oldsmobile 88 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1985 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 4 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1984: 9 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 37 complaints 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 24 complaints 1990 1991: 16 complaints 1992: 73 complaints 1993: 74 complaints 1993 1994: 63 complaints 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 101 complaints 1998: 164 complaints 1999: 77 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2000
1985: 7 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19814
19823
19849
19857
198619
198718
198837
198927
199024
199116
199273
199374
199463
1995117
199692
1997101
1998164
199977
20000

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 7 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

TIRES

3 of 7 total reports mention: tires.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED, AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENMT INSTALLED AT 30,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE 205/75R15, DOT# UNAVAILABLE. FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. MR *TT *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20021101

WHEELS

1 of 7 total reports mentions: wheels.

Show complaint excerpts

THE WHEEL HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED, CAUSING A VIBRATION AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19990217

TIRES

1 of 7 total reports mentions: tires.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS I'VE HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO TIRES NOT GRIPPING THE ROAD IN RAINY CONDITIONS. LAST OCT. I SLID 2 AND A HALF CAR LENGTHS AND HIT THE REAR OF A VEHICLE AT A STOP SIGN. LAST WEEK IT HAPPENED BUT IT WASN'T AS SERIOUS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100516

SEAT BELTS

1 of 7 total reports mentions: seat belts.

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILURE, BELT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950612

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19850410 — equipment

THE TIRE PLACARD LABEL ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRINTED WITH AN ERROR WHICH SPECIFIES A HIGHER MAXIMUM LOADING THAN IS ALLOWED.

Remedy: NEW TIRE PLACARD LABELS WITH CORRECT INFORMATION WILL BE INSTALLED.

Campaign 85V028000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19880209 — PE (closed 19880511)

HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE

I 19890306 — C (closed 19900116)

THROTTLE NON-RETURN

R 19890720 — vehicle speed control

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

Campaign 89V102000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 Oldsmobile 88 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 85V028000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V102000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ● 1994 ● 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ◆ 1995 ◆ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1985 Oldsmobile 88 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Oldsmobile 88?

The most-reported component is tires:tread/belt, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 Oldsmobile 88 have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.