AI Damage1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 16
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 31% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 31% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 19% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (31% of all).
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (31% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 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 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
A small nylon bushing in cruise control servo bail has slipped out, causing gas pedal to get stuck. Consumer had to quickly shut off vehicle, but ended up hitting guardrail. The rod slipped out of servo bail and lodged on intake manifold.
While driving at approximately 25 mph lost control of the vehicle due to rear axle disconnecting from vehicle. There was no crash involved, and no one was injured. Dealership has not examined vehicle. Please provide any additional information/attachtments.
Manual transmission will lock out 3rd gear when trying to downshift between 20-35 mph.
Vehicle was parked for a few minutes, then caught on fire from under the front grill of the vehicle.
The driver's side seat belt buckle housing is broken and it keeps jamming.
Engine compartment fire, causing fatality.(attorney for client)
Driver seat belt will not extend so that it will fit around the driver.
Drivers side seat belt retractor fails, not allowing seat belt to be pulled out and worn. Parts on national back order.
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 9,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cutlass has 67 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 16, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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 198623 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 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, seat belts, steering. Total complaints: 16. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (19%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), transmission slipping (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 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 1987 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 1987 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.