IllustrationWHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED AND HIT OWNER AND TWO PRARKED CARS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cutlass years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 0 of 5 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reportsNO SUMMARY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BENT FORWARD/LEFT ANCHORAGE LOOP BROKE. *AK
AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE.
ENGINE FIRE (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT). *AK
Official recalls
283V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:differential Proportional Valve
Oct 13, 1983
THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.
83V106000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 13, 1983
THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR BRAKE PIPE, WHICH CARRIES BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES, MAY DEVELOP A LEAK DUE TO EXTENDED CHAFING ON THE AIR CLEANER RESONATOR BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: IF UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER FINDS THAT THERE IS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE, THE PIPE WILL BE REFORMED TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY THREE QUARTER INCH SPACE. ONLY THOSE PIPES SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR WILL BE REPLACED.
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
1DP87021 · Cutlass Supreme Brake Lockup
Opened Jul 1, 1987 · Closed Jul 17, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CUTLASS SUPREME BRAKE LOCKUP