The 1986 Oldsmobile Calais has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 467,822 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
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…
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WILL BE REPLACED AND INSPECT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH POP-UP LEVER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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”
“While driving car stalled out and upon starting ignition again engine caught on fire. Tt”
“While driving car stalled out and upon starting ignition again engine caught on fire. Tt”
“The front buckles in the car have fallen apart and will not latch. Please describe. Tt”
“The steering does not work when it is cold outside. Please explain. Tt”
“The vehicle has a cracked head at 62,000 miles. Please describe. Tt”
“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…”
“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…”
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Oldsmobile Calais as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.