Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 38 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
38 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1999
StructureCrash
ON APR.12,1996,MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN SHE FELT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL SHE IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME AND ASKED ME TO CHECK ON IT. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE BLOCK NOTICEING THAT THE STEERING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. AS I DROVE FROM THE STOP SIGN, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AS IF IT HAD JUST BEEN HIT. I LOST CO…
Read full complaint
ON APR.12,1996,MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN SHE FELT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL SHE IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME AND ASKED ME TO CHECK ON IT. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE BLOCK NOTICEING THAT THE STEERING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. AS I DROVE FROM THE STOP SIGN, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AS IF IT HAD JUST BEEN HIT. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR(NO STEERING),AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, WRECKING THE FRONT END. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CAR, I FOUND THE MOTOR SITTING ON THE GROUND DETACHED FROM THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. IT WASN'T UNTIL TWO WEEKS LATER THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE CRADLE BOLTS. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. TWO WEEKS LATER I RECIEVAD A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE AT GM. THE MAN I TALKED TO SAID THAT THEY WOULDN'T FIX MY CAR BECAUSE (THE WAY HE DESCRIBED IT) THE FRAME SURROUNDING THE CRADLE BOLT HAD RUSTED, NOT THE CRADLE BOLT ITSELF. IN MY OPINION, ANY SPOT ON A PEICE OF METAL THAT STARTS TO RUST WILL CUASE THE SURROUNDING AREAS OF METAL TO RUST ALSO. WHEN I EXPLAINED THIS TO HIM,HE INSISTED THAT THIS WAS NOT TRUE AND THAT GM WAS NOT LIABLE FOR THOSE KIND OF CIRCUMSTANCES. IN ALL, HE TOLD ME THAT GM WOULD NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO JUST REPLACE THE RECALLED PART BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SUBFRAME,AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS TO THE CAR. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS VERY UNSATISFIED WITH HIS DECISION,AND HE SAID THAT HE STILL REFUSED TO EVEN TRY TO HELP. AFTER THAT, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I STOPPED MAKING PAYMENTS. TWO WEEKS LATER, I ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK TO FIND THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE AND LEFT WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF THIS. I LET THE CAR SIT AND AS A RESULT OF NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO AND NOT MAKING PAYMENTS, THE CAR WAS REPOSSESSED. THIS PROBABLY ISN'T THE RIGHT CHANNEL TO GO THRU, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS MATTER? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME.
NHTSA ODI #704295
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE TEMPERATURE WOULD RISE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE ENGINE WOULD JUST STOP. VEHICLE DOES NOT OVERHEAT. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. HAVE TO WAIT A WHILE BEFORE RESTARTING. TOOK TO DEALER & PROBLEM CANNOT BE LOCATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832814
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1998
Seats
THE TWO FRONT SEAT LATCHES OR SEAT BACK LATCHES DO NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE SEAT WILL FLY UP WHEN DRIVING AND/OR MAKING A HARD STOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828529
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A METAL TO METAL SOUND, RESULTING IN HAVING THE BRAKES CHANGE FOR THE THIRD TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826786
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1998
Exterior Lighting
STOP LIGHT SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #536579
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1997
Electrical System
DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WOULD DIE OUT & WOULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL. THERE IS NO SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER READING. HAD COMPUTER CHANGED 3 TIMES. NO ELECTRICAL POWER. TALKED TO DEALER OVER PHONE & HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM, BUT HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #817791
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1997
Structure
WAS DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL OF CAR BECAUSE THE STRUCTURE FRAME CAME LOOSE, BOLT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO CAR . *AK
NHTSA ODI #808241
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 1996
Electrical System
WHEN DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL COMPUTER MODULE SHUT OFF , CAR CUT OFF, TOOK TO DEALER, CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *AK
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, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5
RP01001 · Structure
Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · Sticking Throttle
Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA91049 · Jack Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
===
PE91107 · Jack Failure
Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Nov 26, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available
PE91072 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 1991 · Closed Jul 8, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year