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1993 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 →
139Owner complaints

Model-year median: 17

4Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
103
1990193
1991136
1992139
1993148
1994156
1995123
1996
Compare all Cutlass years →

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

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
45Electrical System
21Power Train
14Equipment
10Engine And Engine Cooling
9
All reported categories
Structure
9Seats
8Suspension
8Fuel System, Gasoline
7Steering
7Vehicle Speed Control
6Unknown Or Other
5Air Bags
3Seat Belts
3Wheels
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Tires
2Visibility
2Fuel System, Other
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes, Air
1Service Brakes, Electric
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: 5 of 139 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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 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 reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

45 reports
Clear category filter
31,493 miles · Jun 8, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED ALONG THE FITTINGS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THAT…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED ALONG THE FITTINGS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 93V121000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES LINES, PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 6/23/2006 - THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN, TRANSMISSION PAN AND GAS TANK ALSO RUSTED. . *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159343

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 1993 OLDS CUTLASS SL HAS HAD BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE IN A YEAR IN THE REAR WITH GM PARTS ONCE IN THE FRONT. ALL ROTORS REPLACED, TWICE IN THE FRONT. THE HOP I TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE SAYS THE CUTLASS HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE COMPONENTS ON THIS CAR. I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL. ANY INFORMATION ON THIS YOU COULD GIV…

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MY 1993 OLDS CUTLASS SL HAS HAD BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE IN A YEAR IN THE REAR WITH GM PARTS ONCE IN THE FRONT. ALL ROTORS REPLACED, TWICE IN THE FRONT. THE HOP I TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE SAYS THE CUTLASS HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE COMPONENTS ON THIS CAR. I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL. ANY INFORMATION ON THIS YOU COULD GIVE TO ME WOULD BE GREAT. I FEEL I SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECOUP SOME OF THE COST FROM GM. THE SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO TO CONTACT. THANKS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10036894

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR A TURNING CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WERE SEIZED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10036822

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENGINE AND ALSO STATED THAT HAS GONE TO A PRIVATE MECANIC AND HAD STATED THAT ARMONIC BALANCE HAD TO BE CHANGE BUT WAS NEVER DONE. ALSO STATED THAT VISITED A DEALER AND ALSO WAS TOLD THAT THE MODULE ON THE IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WAS NEVER DONE. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021997

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING AND BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. CONTACTED DEALER. RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE WAS LEAKING WHERE IT WAS NEXT TO THE CALIPER. RECOCKED CALIPER, AND BLED MASTER CYLINDER SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #8010847

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED SMOKE COMES FROM REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003929

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE DRUM ON THE FOUR WHEELS IS RUSTING VERY BADLY. RUST SEEPS OUT FROM UNDER THE HUB CAP AND GOES ALL OVER THE WHEELS.

NHTSA ODI #9005943

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR DISC BRAKES EQUIPPED ON MY CUTLASS SUPREME. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM FOR THIS REASON. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD RESOLVE, PAY FOR AND REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THESE CARS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #753131

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

ON BOTH DOORS LATCH SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, WHEN TURNING KEY THE LOCK POPS UP LIKE DOOR IS OPEN. BUT, WHEN PULLING HANDLE ITS STILL LOCKED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE BOLT FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER BACKS OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP RUINING ONE OF CONSUMER TIRES AND RIM.*JB

NHTSA ODI #893823

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR. BRAKE CALIPER AND ONE FRONT BRAKE PAD WENT. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHT. HE PULLED HIS EMERGENCY BRAKE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. WHEN CONSUMER HAD OIL CHANGE SHE ASKED MECHANIC TO SHAKE CALIPER BRAKE…

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CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR. BRAKE CALIPER AND ONE FRONT BRAKE PAD WENT. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHT. HE PULLED HIS EMERGENCY BRAKE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. WHEN CONSUMER HAD OIL CHANGE SHE ASKED MECHANIC TO SHAKE CALIPER BRAKES PAD. HE TOLD CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE 107,000 MILES TO BE CHECKED. *AK *VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDAS AND REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #889192

Official recalls

4

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.

94V211000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 26, 1994

THE BRAKE LINES CAN CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTING BRACKET OF THE FRAME SIDE RAIL. THE LINES CAN WEAR THROUGH RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF HALF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WILL CAUSE A LOSS OF ONE HALF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THE BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE INDENTATIONS WILL BE REPLACED.

93V121000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 21, 1993

THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.

93V035000 · Seats

Mar 9, 1993

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.

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

1

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