Vehicles / Oldsmobile / Cutlass

Oldsmobile Cutlass

1,598 federal complaints across 19 model years (1981-1999) · 38 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Oldsmobile Cutlass, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.

1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years

Model years compared

Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.

Highest complaint totals

  1. 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 143 complaints in its first 8 years (155 to date)
  2. 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 141 complaints in its first 8 years (156 to date)
  3. 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 132 complaints in its first 8 years (193 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.

Lowest totals among mature years

  1. 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 69 complaints in its first 8 years (80 to date)
  2. 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 76 complaints in its first 8 years (103 to date)
  3. 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 82 complaints in its first 8 years (96 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.

What owners report, all years combined

Brakes
582
Electrical system
239
Engine & cooling
238
Seat belts
119
Steering
117
Suspension
109

Every model year

Model yearComplaints to dateWithin 8 yearsRecalls
1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass80690
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass1551432
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass96822
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass1231040
1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass1561413
1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass1481324
1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass1391224
1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass1361053
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass1931326
1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass103766
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass113676
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass74396
1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass1662
1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass2303
1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass1803
1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass1602
1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass502
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass102
1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass302

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
03V5270001997-1998SteeringCERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY.
01V0680001997-1998VisibilityON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE,...
00V1890001991StructureVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS,...
98V3060001995Seat BeltsTHE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
97V0650001995Seat BeltsTHE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
97V0580001988-1991StructureVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS,...
97V0170001994-1995VisibilitySOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.
95V1730001991-1993Seat BeltsTHESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD.
95V1150001988-1990WheelsCRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
94V0410001988-1990WheelsCRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
95V0610001994Service Brakes, HydraulicTHE REAR WHEEL BRAKE HOSE(S) CAN CONTACT THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE(S) TO WEAR THROUGH.
94V2110001993-1994Service Brakes, HydraulicTHE BRAKE LINES CAN CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTING BRACKET OF THE FRAME SIDE RAIL.
93V1620001994Vehicle Speed ControlTHE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONDUIT END FITTING WHILE ENGAGED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD BE LOST.
93V1210001993Service Brakes, HydraulicTHE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
93V0350001993SeatsTHE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER...
92V1240001991SeatsTHE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
92V0660001992Electrical SystemTHE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE.
92V0430001991VisibilityMOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN...
92V0030001991Seat BeltsTHE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
91V2140001992Power TrainTHE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR...
91V0050001990Seat BeltsFRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
90V1850001989-1990Exterior LightingBRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH.
90V0540001988-1990Seat BeltsFRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
89V1220001989EquipmentTHE ELECTRONIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN STARTING CAR THAT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS WITH IGNITION OFF.
89V1020001984-1988Vehicle Speed ControlA 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...
88V1750001988Parking BrakeTHE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER.
87V1680001987Power TrainMANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED.
86V0930001986Seat BeltsLEFT HANDED DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR PLATE MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN IN LOCK PILLAR SO THAT THE UNTHREADED SLOT OF THE PLATE ALIGNED WITH THE HOLE IN THE LOCK PILLAR.
86V0610001986Electrical SystemAN INCORRECTLY INDEXED WIRING HARNESS MAY CAUSE THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OR PARKING LAMPS ARE ON.
84V1540001985Seat BeltsTHE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHICH MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY DURING A COLLISION.