IllustrationTHE REAR DISC BRAKES ARE RUSTING AND NOW THEY WILL NOT STOP THE CAR AT ALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
1989 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: 1 of 113 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
113 reportsDRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN. SEAT BELT DOES NOT STAY FASTENED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING; SEAT HAD ROCKING LIKE MOTION; AT THIS TIME, CAUSE UNKNOWN. TT
ENGINE CUTS OFF AFTER DRIVING 30 OR MORE MILES, SPEEDS 50 MPH; NO WARNING; CAUSE UNKNOWN. TT
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT TIGHTEN UP ON DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE. TT
THE REAR BRAKES OF THE CAR DO NOT WORK. TT CONSUMER STATES CALIPERS SEIZE AND CAUSE SMOKE AND ODOR, ROTORS RUST, BECAUSE OF FAULTY REAR BRAKES THERE IS MUCH STRESS TO THE FRONT BRAKES, CONSUMER HAS TO CLEAN AND LUBRICATE SLIDES EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS AND REPLACE SLIDES, ROTORS, PADS, AND CALIPERS FREQUENTLY IN ORDER TO KEEP REAR …
Read full complaint
THE REAR BRAKES OF THE CAR DO NOT WORK. TT CONSUMER STATES CALIPERS SEIZE AND CAUSE SMOKE AND ODOR, ROTORS RUST, BECAUSE OF FAULTY REAR BRAKES THERE IS MUCH STRESS TO THE FRONT BRAKES, CONSUMER HAS TO CLEAN AND LUBRICATE SLIDES EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS AND REPLACE SLIDES, ROTORS, PADS, AND CALIPERS FREQUENTLY IN ORDER TO KEEP REAR BRAKES WORKING. *SLC
WHEN DRIVING SOMETIME THE REAR HATCH LATCH CAME OPEN. TT
THE PARKING BRAKES ARE NOT HOLDING. TT CONSUMER STATES IT IS A PUMP BRAKE AND MOST TIMES IT DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE PUMPED WITH FOOT, IF IT DOES ENGAGE, QUITE OFTEN IT CAN BE HEARD WHEN IT IS RELEASED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLAMMED.*JB
THE REAR SEATBELT PLASTIC PIECE AROUND IT IS BROKEN AND THE SEAT POPS OPEN. TT
ABS: SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, BRAKE SYSTEM WENT; CONTINUED TO GO OUT EVERY 6,000 TO 7,000 MILES; ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON, FOLLOWED BY NO BRAKING POWER. TT
Official recalls
697V058000 · Structure
Apr 8, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
95V115000 · Wheels
Jun 5, 1995
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
94V041000 · Wheels
Mar 28, 1995
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
90V185000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Oct 16, 1990
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
90V054000 · Seat Belts
Mar 14, 1990
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
89V122000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
Jul 24, 1989
THE ELECTRONIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN STARTING CAR THAT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS WITH IGNITION OFF.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WINDSHIELD MAY NOT DEFROST AND CAR WOULD NOT CONFORMWITH FMVSS 103.
Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC COMFORT CONTROL ASSEMBLY.
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
4EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures
Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes
Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch
Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available