AI DamageOldsmobile Cutlass: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Oldsmobile Cutlass across 24 model years: 1,611 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9999 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 80 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 155 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 96 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 123 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 156 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 148 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 139 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 136 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 193 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 103 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 113 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 74 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1976 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 470 complaints (29% of all), 21 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 211 complaints (13% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 206 complaints (13% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 114 complaints (7% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 112 complaints (7% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1998–1999
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1997–1999named in 3 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 1997–1999
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,611 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 470 | 21 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 211 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 206 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 114 | 8 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 112 | 11 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 101 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 100 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 95 | 25 | 0 |
| Air bags | 93 | 37 | 0 |
| Suspension | 93 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 63 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 62 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 53 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 45 | 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.
Consumer writes in regards to while traveling the steering wheel locked up and vehicle had no brakes. The consumer stated her husband was not able to control the vehicle, and hit a median. The consumer wasn't driving very fast. The consumer no longer owns the vehicle.
The air bags did not deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact suffered injuries to the head and was currently hospitalized. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the non-deployment of the air bags and the manufacturer stated that there was nothing they could do to assist.
I had an accident a few months ago and my airbag light was blinking, but didn't deploy. Now I am afraid it will deploy while I'm driving.
It was a frontal impact, and the air bags did not deploy. Injuries were sustained. Seat belts were in use. The vehicle was totaled.
The vehicle's fuel pressure regulator failed and resulted in sudden acceleration. The consumer was backing out of a parking space, a popping noise occurred and as the consumer was going in reverse the vehicle lost all power and hit two parked vehicles.
While driving steering jerked uncontrollably. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and it collided with another vehicle. No injuries reported. However, consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer. For inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
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 2026-11-05.