1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Problems
- Complaints
- 47filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes (9) and electrical system (8). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Air bags10 21%
- Brakes9 19%
- Electrical system8 17%
- Engine cooling8 17%
- Steering5 11%
- Body and structure2 4.3%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.3%
- Fuel system1 2.1%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I have been contacted by general motors by mail with regard to a product safety issue which affects the driver's side air bag inflator. They advise of a defect that can cause the driver's side bag to deploy unexpectedly, without a crash, as you start your car or during normal driving. In 1995 or 1996 models of my vehicle. They claim it will take several months to correct this defect. I do not feel that this is a reasonable and safe solution. My vehicle is near the 60,000 mile usage at which these unexpected deployments could occur. …”
NHTSA complaint #726540, filed 2000-08Brakes: “Vehicle skidded under hard braking (to avoid collision); ABS did not activate until after 2 seconds of skidding. Abs also activates under normal braking over bumpy road; stays activated for 30 seconds. Dealer inspected braking and ABS systems; found no problems, found no error codes in ABS computer. No other action taken by dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #705656, filed 1999-04Electrical system: “Vehicle did not give any warning that the battery was discharging. This occurred while driving 55mph on interstate 95 in ma. The electrical system completely shut down as I exited the road. Second time this happened in 4 years. No icons came on to warn me. Frightening experience to have car stalled at exit with trucks egressing the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10039389, filed 2003-09, 46,138 milesEngine cooling: “We got a low coolant light on our dashboard, and found the coolant resevoir to be completely empty. This was less than 3k miles since the coolant system was serviced - drained, refilled, and new radiator hoses installed. After refilling, we found a small coolant leak on the ground under the engine (when parked on a dry surface indoors - normally the car is in the driveway, where snow, ice, and rain may have masked a long-time small leak). On 3/3/03, our local midas repair shop found that the intake manifold gasket was failing, causing the leak. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008421, filed 2003-03, 77,950 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,000 and 78,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutlass Supreme · coupe | not rated | 4 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 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 | 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Cutlass Supreme FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
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
- 03V527000Dec 11, 2003Steering › Rack and pinionCovers: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1996–1997, Buick Regal 1996–1998, Chevrolet Lumina 1997–1998 +5 more
Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
- 00V171000Jul 3, 2000Air bags › FrontalCovers: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1995–1996, Buick Regal 1995
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Corrosion of the air bag inflator's internal wiring, which can occur over time, could cause the inadvertent deployment of the driver's air bag. This deployment could occur during vehicle start-up, while the vehicle is…
Recall details for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 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 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have?
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes with 9.
Has the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (Cutlass Supreme, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,500 miles and the middle half falls between 54,000 and 78,000 miles; 20% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.