Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 1,594 consumer complaints across the 17 model years of the Oldsmobile Cutlass (1983–1999) that have at least 5 complaints. 1991 has the most, with 193. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (477 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Cutlass years →
All Cutlass model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 80 | 64,190 | 0 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 155 | 60,537 | 2 | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 96 | 79,462 | 2 | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 123 | 115,000 | 0 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 156 | 100,750 | 3 | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 148 | 75,000 | 4 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 139 | 120,000 | 4 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 136 | 118,000 | 3 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 193 | 88,000 | 6 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 103 | — | 6 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 113 | 200,000 | 6 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 74 | 120,000 | 6 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 16 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 23 | — | 3 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 18 | 139,000 | 3 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 16 | 31,179 | 2 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1983 | 5 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes477 34%
- Engine cooling208 15%
- Electrical system206 15%
- Steering113 8.0%
- Seat belts110 7.8%
- Transmission and drivetrain99 7.0%
- Body and structure99 7.0%
- Vehicle speed control95 6.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1995: “In sept. 2013, replaced the fuel filter and line with the driveworks brand from advance auto parts. On 3/2/14, the car would not start and we smelled gas. The snap on connection had popped loose at the gas tank and was spewing gasoline when we tried to start the car. On 3/6/14, the line popped loose again when trying to start the car. I pushed it back on and went on my way. …”
NHTSA complaint #10572982, filed 2014-03, 62,000 miles1994: “My boyfriend and I have an Oldsmobile Cutlass supreme 1994 the other day we got in the car to drive and the wipers wasn't working unless we turned on the left turn signal. We need a recall replacement. Also we have an exception due before the end of the month.”
NHTSA complaint #10660726, filed 2014-11, 180,000 miles1999: “While driving my fiances Oldsmobile, I noticed a bad shudder under light to moderate braking. Upon investigation, I found that the front left control arm had rusted so badly that it had cracked in several places. The structural integrity had been so badly compromised I am sure that had I needed to brake suddenly the control arm would have failed causing the right wheel to come of the vehicle. I was able to flex part of the control arm by hand upon removal from the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10609486, filed 2014-07, 69,600 milesOther Oldsmobile models
1,955 complaintsOldsmobile Intrigue
1,138 complaintsOldsmobile Bravada
960 complaintsOldsmobile Silhouette
950 complaintsOldsmobile 88
918 complaintsOldsmobile Aurora
779 complaintsOldsmobile Achieva
413 complaintsOldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
293 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology