1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Problems
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,500miles, 14 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The part named most often is steering, with 14 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes (12) and engine cooling (5). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering 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.
- Steering14 33%
- Brakes12 28%
- Engine cooling5 12%
- Seat belts3 7.0%
- Body and structure3 7.0%
- Suspension3 7.0%
- Air bags2 4.7%
- Electrical system2 4.7%
- Equipment1 2.3%
Also reported: Interior lighting (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “When pulling to the left out of a parking place I noticed that the steering wheel was becoming increasingly difficult to turn. Eventually the wheel wouldn't turn even with force. While trying to turn the wheel a squooshing noise was heard. After a few moments the steering wheel did turn, but with extreme difficulty, and I immediately went straight home (approximately 14 miles). During that time I did not make any abrupt turns and was very cautious driving only 45 MPH at the maximum. …”
NHTSA complaint #10046858, filed 2003-11, 131,608 milesBrakes: “When braking heard a grinding noise. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that rear pistons were stuck and engaged the rear brakes. Rear calipers and rotors were replaced. It was not known how long the vehicle was in this condition because there was no warning of this problem besides the noise.”
NHTSA complaint #10062897, filed 2004-04, 79,000 milesEngine cooling: “While driving and without warning steering wheel locked up. Dealer replaced rack and pinion and right axle. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer where they found the lower pinion bearing damaged, dust cap missing, power steering pump leaking, serpentine belt cracked and the right axle boot torn, which caused axle noise. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion, axle seal, replaced and resealed the power steering pump, replaced the serpentine belt and flushed the brake and power steering fluid. The lower intake manifold leaked at the left rear. The brake hose was twisted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041878, filed 2003-10, 42,744 milesSeat belts: “The plastic fasteners on the front passenger side seat belt fell off. Driver's side the seat belt fastener cracked and was about to fall off. The seat belts were not able to be latched. Dealership did not indicate why the failure occurred, they were just quoting the replacing price of the part.”
NHTSA complaint #10081992, filed 2004-07, 75,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
36% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,744 and 96,900 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 1997 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 | 3.4L 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.
Recall details for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1997 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 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 14 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 12.
Has the 1997 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 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme get?
The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,500 miles and the middle half falls between 42,744 and 96,900 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.