AI Damage1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 23
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 9% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
Poor stabiity, causing accident. (new jersey state police report)
While driving 28 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent shop and the technician replaced the fuel pump.
Consumer states that her daughter had a vehicle that had a problem with the engine bolt, which could hurt her. There was a recall on the rear engine cradle bolt in 1997. This was corrected with the recall by the previous owner.
Consumer kept hearing noise from the tire, the mechanic found that the tire was splitting in the middle which caused it to go flat (sumitomo 205x75x14-9ss). Nlm
When driving 60 mph consumer noticed shimmy in front end when passenger's side tire tread shredded. Please provide any further details. Consumer replaced all tires and the shimmy has gone away.
Vehicle experienced engine fire while driving (ohio traffic crash report).
While driving gas pedal is sticking all the time. Contacted dealer, and couldn't find any problem.
Vehicle experienced engine fire. (ohio traffic crash report). Mjs
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 7,735 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cutlass has 67 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 23, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
- Cutlass 19763 sources
- Cutlass 19773 sources
- Cutlass 19803 sources
- Cutlass 19813 sources
- Cutlass 19835 sources
- Cutlass 198416 sources
- Cutlass 198518 sources
- Cutlass 198716 sources
- Cutlass 198874 sources
- Cutlass 1989113 sources
- Cutlass 1990103 sources
- Cutlass 1991193 sources
- Cutlass 1992136 sources
- Cutlass 1993139 sources
- Cutlass 1994148 sources
- Cutlass 1995156 sources
- Cutlass 1996123 sources
- Cutlass 199796 sources
- Cutlass 1998155 sources
- Cutlass 199980 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 23. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), seat belts (9%), transmission slipping (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
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 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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 1986 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 2026-11-05.