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1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 103 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 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

103 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALSO, AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES THE BRAKES OPERATE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #852646

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1999
Unknown Or Other

PAINT ON THE ENTIRE CAR IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS

NHTSA ODI #712480

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 1999
Exterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF NO KEY, SPEEEDOMETER. ODOMETER INTERMITTENT FAILURE, REAR BRAKES FROZE AND RUSTED CAUSING FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE LININGS AND ROTORS IN 3000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #711600

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 1999
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708209

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 1999
Electrical System

THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD IN THIS CAR FAILS INTERMITTANTLY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS ON STARTUP, AND SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. UPON FAILURE THE DASHOARD IS BLACK, WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THIS AUTOMOBILE. SOMETIMES THE FAILURE LASTS FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND SOMTIMES FOR HOURS. ON ONE TRIP I HAD NO SPEEDOMETER FOR 4…

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THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD IN THIS CAR FAILS INTERMITTANTLY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS ON STARTUP, AND SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. UPON FAILURE THE DASHOARD IS BLACK, WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THIS AUTOMOBILE. SOMETIMES THE FAILURE LASTS FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND SOMTIMES FOR HOURS. ON ONE TRIP I HAD NO SPEEDOMETER FOR 4 HOURS. I BELIEVE THAT FHE FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS DEALER THAT FAILURE OF DIGITAL DASHOARDS IN GM CARS HAPPENS OFTEN AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I WAS GIVEN A FIGURE OF APPROXIMATELY $650.00 TO REPAIR MY DASHBOARD, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THAT IT BE SENT TO THE FACTORY AND FHAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THE USE OF MY CAR FOR 2 TO 6 WEEKS. SINCE THE SPEEDOMETER IS A COMPONENT OF THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD, AND CERTAINLY RELATED TO VEHICLE SAFETY, I BELIEVE THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COST. IF NOT REQUIRED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL COST, GM SHOULD AT LEAST BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707904

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1999
Unknown Or Other

I'M SORRY - I GOT SO UPSET WHEN I STARTED FILLING THIS FORM I REFERRED TO "PONTIAC" . . . IN DESCRIPTION/ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND WHERE "PONTIAC" APPEARS SHOULD BE "OLDSMOBILE" . . .PLEASE CHANGE ON VOQ SUBMITTED - ODI NUMBER: 705733. THANK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705735

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1999
Electrical System

HAVE MORE TO REPORT ON DEFECTS: 11/8/1997 TOWED AGAIN - LOST POWER - CAR STOPPED TOOK BACK FOR RECHK OF BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, THEN ON 11/20/1997 - ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, RAN TESTS ON BATTERY BOLT, REPLACED BATTER, REPLACED ALT & REPAIRES WIRES & INSTALL CONNECTORS ($311.45), 12/2/98 STALLED AGAIN LOST POWER, RAN TESTS, ALTERNATOR RE…

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HAVE MORE TO REPORT ON DEFECTS: 11/8/1997 TOWED AGAIN - LOST POWER - CAR STOPPED TOOK BACK FOR RECHK OF BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, THEN ON 11/20/1997 - ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, RAN TESTS ON BATTERY BOLT, REPLACED BATTER, REPLACED ALT & REPAIRES WIRES & INSTALL CONNECTORS ($311.45), 12/2/98 STALLED AGAIN LOST POWER, RAN TESTS, ALTERNATOR REPLACED ($150.04), CAR STALLED - LOST POWER ON 12/17/98 - RAN TESTS, BATTERY BAD, BATTERY REPLACED ($81.66). I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND CAR WILL STALL AGAIN!!! NOTICE FROM ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON 1990 PONTIAC CULASS SUPREMES THERE HAS TO BE SOME MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH ON OUR . . . IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING THE DRIVEWAY - WE DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TAKE IT. IF YOU TRADE IT IN - SOMEONE ELSE WILL INHERIT THE PROBLEMS. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR - SHE DROVE IT TO COLLEGE - THE MANY TIMES IT BROKE DOWN HAS CAUSED US TO NOT LET HER DRIVE IT ANY LONGER. SEVERAL TIMES SHE BROKE DOWN AT NIGHT - IN FRONT OF OTHER VEHICLES - COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT - PLUS WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT. THEN ONCE, ON WAY TO COLLEGE - BROKE DOWN - AND PROFESSOR WOULD NOT LET HER TAKE A TEST THAT SHE HAD STUDIED FOR. COST HER A GOOD GRADE. MY WIFE FINALLY TOOK OVER THE CAR - BROKE DOWN SEVERAL TIMES ON WAY TO WORK!! MANY TIMES FELT LIKE HER HEART WAS IN MY MOUTH. HAVE CALLED THE PONTIAC MANUFACTURER . . . SAID NO RECALLS OR COMPLAINTS . . . AS YOU WILL SEE FROM THE INTERNET - DOT HAD PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CAR FIXED PERFECTLY BY A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE TO US. THEN, WOULD PREFER TO TRADE CAR IN AT A FAIR PRICE. WILL NEVER - EVER BUY ANOTHER PONTAIC CUTLASS. WE HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS AT WORK THAT HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS REGARDING PONTIAC CUTLASS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT (OR, ALREADY HAS BEEN). PLEASE LET US HEAR!! WOULD PREFER TO JUST BE OFFERED A FAIR PRICE FOR THE CAR BY PONTIAC AND GET RIDE OF IT . . .I CON'T THINK PONTIAC CAN FIX!!!

NHTSA ODI #705733

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1998
Structure

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CROSS MEMBER BODY MOUNT THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BROKE OFF, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #829109

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1998
Fuel System, Other

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING , PROCEEDED TO PUT ON GAS TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION, BUT THERE WAS NO REACTION TO PUTTING ON THE GAS. THE CAR STALLED AND STAYED STILL, DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #827892

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FREEZE UP, AND THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS CONSISTENTLY NEED RESURFACING OR REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #827043

Official recalls

6

97V058000 · 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.

91V005000 · Seat Belts

Oct 2, 1991

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

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.

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

4

EA00011 · 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