AI Damage1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: common problems
Owners of the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme filed 38 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 38
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Structure: 12 complaints (32% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (21% of all).
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (8% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 38 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The noise and flicker coincided with loss of brakes, up to approximately 15 seconds. Then vehicle hydroplained and struck another vehicle.
On apr.12,1996,my girlfriend was driving on the expressway when she felt vibration in the steering wheel she immediately drove home and asked me to check on it. I drove the car for one block noticeing that the steering didn't feel right.
Consumer noticed that fire was coming from the side of the trunk. Fire department was notified, and it was determined that the antenna wires caused the fire.
I never know the speed I am going, or if check engine light or anything comes on. When the dash does come on if you hit the slightest bump it goes back off. I feel this is unsafe. As I researched this site for similar problems with the same car I find that my complaint is the 5th one for the same exact problem.
Also, the consumer stated when he took his foot off the accelerator the vehicle stalled.
The hood latch cable froze and the hood release lever broke. In turn thee cable and the lever must be replaced.
Consumer states while driving and with no warning the engine cradle droped. Cause unknown dealer notified.
Nhtsa recall 00 v 189 000/manufacturer's recall 00061/65 concerning engine cradle bolt: while being serviced for an oil change, technician informed of a severe corrosion around retainer bolts. Dealer and manufacturer were notified, they informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to vin.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,096 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cutlass Supreme has 33 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 38, about average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 38. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (13%), brake failure (8%), seat belts (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1990 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.