DEFECTFILE
Vehicles / Oldsmobile / Cutlass

Oldsmobile Cutlass

2,239 federal complaints across 19 model years (1981-1999) ยท 38 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Oldsmobile Cutlass. Hover a bar for the count.

1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years

Which years to avoid

Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.

Years to look at twice

  1. 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 266 complaints
  2. 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 223 complaints
  3. 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 200 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Quieter years

  1. 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 107 complaints
  2. 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 151 complaints
  3. 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass - 160 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.

What fails, all years combined

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

Every model year

Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass1170
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass2232
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass1612
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass1600
1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass1993
1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass2004
1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass1934
1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass1823
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass2666
1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass1516
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass1646
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass1076
1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass222
1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass313
1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass223
1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass242
1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass82
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass12
1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass82

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.

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. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PER
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, MIC
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, MICHIGA
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. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHOR
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. THE LINES CAN WEAR THROUGH RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF HALF THE VEH
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 C
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. THIS ACTUATION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE I
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 POS
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 P
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. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQU
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 IGNITIO
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. THIS RESUL
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. FMVSS 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEV
84V1540001985Seat BeltsTHE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHICH MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY DURING A COLLISION.