1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report brake vibration and repeated rotor work, anti-theft (Passlock) systems that intermittently block starting, and front coil springs that break and damage tires. Coolant leaks from intake manifold gaskets on the V6 are also frequently mentioned, usually in the 45,000-90,000 mile range. Many complaints come from older, high-mileage cars, so condition and service history matter more than the model year alone.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Warped front rotors and brake vibration

   • 10 complaints (13%)
   • median 1,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2003

   Complaints describe steering wheel and pedal shake or pulsation when braking, sometimes with a grinding or grabbing feel and longer stopping distances. Several owners say rotors were machined or replaced repeatedly, in some cases every few months, and that the vibration returned. Dealers typically turned or replaced rotors and pads, and some owners report parts being back-ordered or repairs declined under warranty. Reported across a wide mileage range, including some cars with very low miles; several owners describe repeat rotor work within a year or two.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car and brake firmly from moderate speed to feel for pedal or steering wheel pulsation, and ask for brake service records showing whether rotors or pads were replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving ABS warning alarm chime came on, and the warning light illuminated on the dashboard. Also, brake pads and rotors were continuously replaced because of excessive wear. This was as a result of ABS module sensor failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10042041, filed 2003-10, 1,000 miles

   “Front brake rotors have been replaced four times due to vibrations while driving at any speed. Abs light on the instrument panel recently illuminated, and vibration has reoccurred. Dealership was currently examining vehicle again to determine the cause of problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.”

   NHTSA complaint #8002528, filed 2002-01
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Anti-theft system prevents starting

   • 10 complaints (13%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2014

   Owners describe the car failing to crank while the security or theft warning light flashes, then starting normally after waiting roughly 10 to 20 minutes. Some report the condition returns repeatedly with no warning, and dealers reportedly had difficulty duplicating or resolving it. A few complaints mention ignition switch problems, including a burning smell or smoke at the switch. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 140,000 miles, and often described as intermittent rather than tied to weather.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or Passlock components have been serviced, start the car several times during a test drive, and watch that the security light goes out promptly after starting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1. Car running perfectly fine. 2. One day, car wouldn't start and theft system light was flashing. 3. Went online and found a bunch of complaints about the passlock system. It said to wait 1/2 hour and the car would start again. So we wait, and it starts. This is extremely inconvenient. We rely heavily on this car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10100250, filed 2004-11, 98,500 miles

   “Theft system continually overrides the system and will not allow the vehicle to start. Is has not yet caused the vehicle to shut down on the highway but it does pose a threat to do so. I have also talked with several other owers of the same type/division(Cutlass and malibu) of vehicle and they all report the same problem. The local GM dealer says that it is just a problem with my vehicle but so many in the same area with the same problem?.”

   NHTSA complaint #10105935, filed 2005-01, 81,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Tire cracking, cupping and tread separation

   • 12 complaints (15%)
   • typically at 2.0 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2002

   Complaints describe vibration, noise, center wear, cupping and cracks in the tread grooves on the original-equipment tires, with some reporting sidewall blowouts or tread separation. Several owners say the dealer or tire maker declined to replace them or pointed to the tire manufacturer. Most reports came in the first few years of ownership, often at low mileage, and several mention the original tires.

   What to check: Inspect all four tires for age cracks in the grooves and sidewalls, check build dates, and treat any original or older tires as a replacement item.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tire blew out on sidewall next to tread. Travelling at low speed managed to pull off on side road out of traffic. When inspecting tire found all tires had cracks in outer tread groove nearest sidewalls similar to reports filed in odi id #750071 and #870103. Dealer claims this is a tire manufacturers problem and is not a dealer or car manufacturers problem even though the car is still under warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #762522, filed 2002-06

   “Firestone affinity tires p215/160r15 DOT w2mwaaa488 experienced vibration and were noisy, all 4 tires were cupped from the belts inside the tires, tires were pushing in the middle face of tires, firestone would not cooperate with consumer.”

   NHTSA complaint #867355, filed 2000-08
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leak from intake manifold gasket

   • 8 complaints (10%)
   • median 62,380 mi at 5.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2005

   Owners report coolant loss, overheating, and sometimes a sweet or burning smell, traced to leaking intake manifold gaskets on the V6. Some describe coolant entering the engine or a cracked plastic manifold. Repair involved replacing the upper and lower gaskets or the manifold itself, and a few owners said customer service shared part of the cost. Typically reported between roughly 45,000 and 90,000 miles, often noticed as a gradual coolant loss before overheating.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue around the intake manifold, and ask whether the intake gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1999 olds Cutlass, had a leaking manifold intake gasket, which almost caused an accident in the liberty tunnel in pgh, due to overheating. There was no place to pull over. Several mechanics told me this is such a common problem with this GM engine, it should be under recall. Fortunately, I managed to get out of the tunnel and over the bridge before it caught fire, smoke was pouring out from under the hood. I had the problem fixed at my own expense of over $363.”

   NHTSA complaint #10060618, filed 2004-03, 45,000 miles

   “Engine overheating -- coolant leaking into engine. Intake mainfold gasket showed signs of failing at around 57,000 miles failed completely at 59,000 miles. Did some research on internet and found dozens of reports of similar problems with the 3.1 liter v-6 engine in this and similar GM models. Contacted Oldsmobile customer service and was able to negotiate a 50/50 on the cost of repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10124171, filed 2005-06, 57,000 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Front coil spring breaks and cuts tire

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • median 69,600 mi at 6.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2014

   Complaints describe a snap or bang followed by the front of the car dropping, with the broken spring end cutting into the tire and sometimes causing a blowout or loss of steering control at low speed. Owners often note rust at the spring edge. Dealers or mechanics replaced the springs and the damaged tire, and in some cases the front end was realigned. Reported from about 18,000 to 140,000 miles, mostly on older cars in areas where rust is common.

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the front springs for rust or cracks near the lower seat and check both front tires for sidewall or shoulder damage from a spring end.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While backing out of my garage I heard a snapping noise and felt the car bounce. Thinking that is was just the ice ridges in the drive way I proceeded to drive the car. I drove only a few blocks when I smelt something burning so I returned home and parked the car until my husband returned. We took the car to our mechanic were he replaced the front coil springs and the front tire because the broken coil spring left a deep gash in it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10114460, filed 2005-03, 112,689 miles

   “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 miles

Buying note. A used example should be judged on maintenance history and rust condition: check the front springs and brake records carefully, confirm the car starts reliably without the security light staying on, and look for coolant leaks around the intake manifold.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.