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1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
5Owner complaints

Model-year median: 17

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 5 owner complaints · 2 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
  • Equipment: 1 reports
  • Exterior Lighting: 1 reports
  • Seats: 1 reports
  • Unknown Or Other: 1 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
19803
19811
19825
198316
198418
198523
1986
Compare all Cutlass years →

Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
2Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Seats
1Unknown Or Other
1
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2000
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #729541

Recall campaigns

2

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 ↗

Defect investigations

1

DP87021 · 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

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.