1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The part named most often is body and structure, with 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and steering (4). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure8 35%
- Brakes4 17%
- Steering4 17%
- Engine cooling2 8.7%
- Suspension2 8.7%
- Fuel system1 4.3%
- Other or unknown1 4.3%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “I was driving at a speed of 40 MPH when I heard a thump and my car veered to the right and I tried to turn it back to the left but the steering wheel turned and the did not so I slammed the brakes on and avoided a mail box and any body damage tothe car and the passenger and myself. The steering went completely out and the frame was about 5 inches from the ground. The bushings need replaced, the mounting bolts that attach the frame need replaced and I don't know what else needs replaced at this point. …”
NHTSA complaint #722079, filed 2000-04Brakes: “Strut mount & plate broke. Brakes, calipers, pads, rotors, and struts were destroyed by this occurrence. Brake pedal went to floor. Repairs were made at owner's expense. Mechanic manual said that engaging the parking brake daily to make the calipers functional was a necessity, owner unaware of this.”
NHTSA complaint #829983, filed 1998-11Steering: “Sub frame bolts rusted away and pulled the washers and rubber bushings then the steering shaft pulled out of the steering box causing no steering. I phoned GM in ontario just to advise them of the problem and see if there was any recalls. The lady I was speaking to got real defensive and belligerent and said if there was any recalls she would have known then said goodbye and hung up. Then I found out on the internet by accident a web site from a government agent listing the year and model of my car and the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071360, filed 2004-01, 145,400 milesEngine cooling: “While sleeping in vehicle in an open air parking lot with heater and motor on consumer died of carbon monoxide poisioning, motor continued running until catalytic converter overheated resulting in fire.(attorney for consumer).”
NHTSA complaint #545034, filed 1999-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 116,000 and 145,400 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutlass Supreme FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Cutlass Supreme FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 27 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cutlass Supreme FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 28 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 00V189000Jul 11, 2000Body and structureCovers: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1988–1990, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991, Buick Regal 1988–1991 +2 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio…
Recall details for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
Other model years of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 43 | 68,500 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 47 | 67,500 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 77 | 103,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 43 | 81,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | 95,375 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 23 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
All Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.
Has the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (Cutlass Supreme, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 16 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 116,000 and 145,400 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.