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: 8 of 193 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 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
193 reports
200,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10397375
60,000 miles · Nov 23, 2010
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 95V173000, SEAT BELTS FRONT, ANCHORAGE ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE, CONTACT HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT, BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD FAIL IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 95V173000, SEAT BELTS FRONT, ANCHORAGE ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE, CONTACT HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT, BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD FAIL IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF UPDATED 03.22.11
NHTSA ODI #10367244
99,132 miles · May 13, 2008
StructureSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V189000 (ENGINE AN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V189000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,632 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,132. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10227569
77,000 miles · Feb 23, 2005
Structure
THE REAR CRADLE BOLT RECALL 00V189000 DEFECT OCCURRED WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS RESULTED IN THE SUBFRAME BENDING AND THE STEERING COLUMN COMING APART. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND STEERING COLUMN. THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10112950
150,000 miles · Nov 12, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS NEEDED TO BE REPLA…
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WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK.....ALL STEERING WAS LOST NOT JUST POWER STEERING. WITH NO CONTROL, VEHICLE MOVED TO THE NEXT LANE. DRIVER HAD NO STEERING, ONLY COULD USE BRAKES. DEALER BOUGHT IT FOR $500.00 TO GERT VEHICLE OFF ROAD.F THIS VEHICLE WA SGOING A THIGHWAY SPEED, THE DRIVER OR ANOTHER DRIVER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099911
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $ 1250. BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089411
39,600 miles · Feb 2, 2004
Electrical System
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES ALREADY BECAUSE IT WILL CUT OFF WILL DRIVING, PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING USING CONSUMER AUTOMOBILE REVIEW SITES…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES ALREADY BECAUSE IT WILL CUT OFF WILL DRIVING, PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING USING CONSUMER AUTOMOBILE REVIEW SITES ON THE WEB. I FIND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OR ONES VERY SIMILAR PRODUCED BY GM/OLDSMOBILE. KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,700 MILES ON IT. I HAVE A 2 YEAR WARRANTY, THAT HAS YET TO BE HONORED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I AM SERIOUSLY WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF COVER UP OR INTENTIONAL IGNORING OF A COMMON MECHANICAL DEFECT WITH THIS AND SIMILAR VEHICLES. PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056325
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. I'M A DISABLED PERSON, AND HUSBAND HAS BEEN DEPLOYED FOR A YEAR OR MORE, AND ALSO HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD THAT I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD VISITED MY HUSBAND WHERE HE'S ON STANDBY WAITING TO GO OVER SEAS, HE HAD TO TIE MY SEATBELT IN A KNOT TO GET IT TIGHT SO IT WOULD NO…
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SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. I'M A DISABLED PERSON, AND HUSBAND HAS BEEN DEPLOYED FOR A YEAR OR MORE, AND ALSO HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD THAT I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD VISITED MY HUSBAND WHERE HE'S ON STANDBY WAITING TO GO OVER SEAS, HE HAD TO TIE MY SEATBELT IN A KNOT TO GET IT TIGHT SO IT WOULD NOT GET IN THE WAY WHILE DRIVING OR GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. IS THERE ANYWAY THAT YOUR COMPANY CAN HELP ME GET THIS FIXED. MONEY IS TIGHT AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, AND CAN'T BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10070068
96,000 miles · Aug 20, 2003
Structure
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH RECEIVED RECALL 00 V 189 000 FOR CRADLE BOLT OCCURRED. ENGINE DROPPED, AND VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE. VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10034235
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE CRADLE BOLT FAILED, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO DROP.*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.
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.
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
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
8
RP01001 · Structure
Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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
PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure
Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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
===
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
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year