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1992 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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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 4 of 136 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 →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 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 reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

8 reports
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106,000 miles · Feb 2, 2006
Power TrainSeat Belts

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WILL SHOW NEUTRAL BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE IN REVERSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 91V214000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V173000, REGARDING THE FRONT S…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WILL SHOW NEUTRAL BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE IN REVERSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 91V214000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V173000, REGARDING THE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL AND THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN DOES NOT MATCH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10149309

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

PROBLEMS WITH FENDER SCRATCHES ON BODY, DAMAGE AXLE BOOT, MOTOR DAMAGE, SPARK PLUGS, EXHAUST, ETC...*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REPAIR SHOP DAMAGED THE VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THEIR CARE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE BATTERY EXPLODED. *PH THE RPM'S ON THE VEHICLE RACED E…

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PROBLEMS WITH FENDER SCRATCHES ON BODY, DAMAGE AXLE BOOT, MOTOR DAMAGE, SPARK PLUGS, EXHAUST, ETC...*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REPAIR SHOP DAMAGED THE VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THEIR CARE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE BATTERY EXPLODED. *PH THE RPM'S ON THE VEHICLE RACED EXTREMELY HIGH, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ALSO THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH WERE CAUSED BY THE REPAIR SHOP AS WELL AS OTHER DAMAGES INCURRED BY THEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10042081

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2002
Power Train

ON LEVEL GROUND, FROM COLD START, COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER EXHIBITED RESISTANCE FROM <PARK> TO <REVERSE>. WHEN IN REVERSE, AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DID NOT ENGAGE REVERSE GEARS. WHEN IN NEUTRAL, TRANSAXLE APPEARED TO BE IN DRIVE GEAR, THOUGH AS PRECAUTION, ONLY SIMPLE USAGE OF 1ST GEAR WAS TESTED FOR TROUBLESHOOTING. ALL DRIVE G…

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ON LEVEL GROUND, FROM COLD START, COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER EXHIBITED RESISTANCE FROM <PARK> TO <REVERSE>. WHEN IN REVERSE, AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DID NOT ENGAGE REVERSE GEARS. WHEN IN NEUTRAL, TRANSAXLE APPEARED TO BE IN DRIVE GEAR, THOUGH AS PRECAUTION, ONLY SIMPLE USAGE OF 1ST GEAR WAS TESTED FOR TROUBLESHOOTING. ALL DRIVE GEARS OPERATE NORMALLY, THOUGH WITH SLIGHT SLIPPAGE. FLUID IS GOOD COLOR AND SMELL, MIDDLE OF HASH MARKS WHILE IDLING AFTER 20 MIN RUN. NO PROPER REVERSE EXISTS, THOUGH IF ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WITH GEAR SELECTOR IN <REVERSE> THE CAR MAY BE ROLLED AS THOUGH IN NEUTRAL. LIMITED UNDERSTANDING OF UNDERLYING MECHANICS OF TRANSAXLE, THOUGH BELIEVE THAT THIS IS HOW THE MEHCANISM SHOULD WORK. CAR HAS BEEN RUN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 20+ MIN AND WITH NEW ALTERNATOR ADDED PREVIOUS DAY, HAS MORE TORQUE THAN EVER (OLD ALTERNATOR WAS ORIGINAL). REVERSE WAS ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE ALTERNATOR CHANGE THOUGH NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCE COULD SEEM TO BE POSSIBLY RELATED, THIS IS ABLE TO AT LEAST BE ASSERTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. DAVE COLEMAN

NHTSA ODI #766166

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999
Power Train

SHIFT INDICATOR NEVER FELECTED CORRECT SHIFT, NEUTRAL SHOWED REVERSE, D1 WAS IN OVERDRIVE AND VARIOUS OTHER COMBINATIONS. SHIFT INDICATOR MOVED UP AND DOWN REQUIRING REPEATED SHIFTING CHANGES TO CORRECT GEAR. WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND STOPPED HAD TO GO BACK TO PARK OR SWITCH TO ANOTHER DRIVE ON INDICATOR FOR CAR TO MOVE. I BR…

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SHIFT INDICATOR NEVER FELECTED CORRECT SHIFT, NEUTRAL SHOWED REVERSE, D1 WAS IN OVERDRIVE AND VARIOUS OTHER COMBINATIONS. SHIFT INDICATOR MOVED UP AND DOWN REQUIRING REPEATED SHIFTING CHANGES TO CORRECT GEAR. WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND STOPPED HAD TO GO BACK TO PARK OR SWITCH TO ANOTHER DRIVE ON INDICATOR FOR CAR TO MOVE. I BROUGHT TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT AT THE COST OF $1,200. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716306

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1997
Power Train

SOLENOID IN TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #521123

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 1996
Power Train

DURING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK IN GEAR. WHEN GOING FROM 4TH TO 5TH. EXPERIENCED PROBLEM 4X.*AK

NHTSA ODI #800817

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

STEERING GEAR REPLACED DUE TO ROARING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #480555

Mileage unknown · Date not reported
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO CORROSION; ALSO REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS/

NHTSA ODI #806190

Official recalls

3

95V173000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Sep 15, 1995

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.

92V066000 · Electrical System:wiring

May 11, 1992

THE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE. THIS ACTUATION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TAILGATE RELEASE ACTUATES, THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN.UNRESTRAINED PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT AREA COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLEWHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy: REPLACE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE WITH A NEWLY REVISED MODULE TO PREVENT RANDOM ACTUATION.

91V214000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Dec 6, 1991

THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.

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

2

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