WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK WHEN LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT IS ON
1994 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
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When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 11 of 148 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 19 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.
What owners actually said
148 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD INADVERTENTLY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE HORN AND, AS A RESULT, THE FUSE WENT OUT. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURE WOULD AFFECT THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD INADVERTENTLY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE HORN AND, AS A RESULT, THE FUSE WENT OUT. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURE WOULD AFFECT THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SUGGESTED HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAVE AN OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1994 THE OTHER DAY WE GOT IN THE CAR TO DRIVE AND THE WIPERS WASN'T WORKING UNLESS WE TURNED ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. WE NEED A RECALL REPLACEMENT. ALSO WE HAVE AN EXCEPTION DUE BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH. *TR
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH/MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH THAT ALSO CONTROLS THE CRUISE CONTROL, WIPERS, AND WINDSHIELD WASHER. 1. I CAN'T PUT THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHEN SIGNALING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE SIGNALS WON'T WORK. I HAVE TO APPLY JUST ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE LEVER TO MAKE THE SIGNALS BLINK. 2. MY EMERGENC…
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TURN SIGNAL SWITCH/MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH THAT ALSO CONTROLS THE CRUISE CONTROL, WIPERS, AND WINDSHIELD WASHER. 1. I CAN'T PUT THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHEN SIGNALING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE SIGNALS WON'T WORK. I HAVE TO APPLY JUST ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE LEVER TO MAKE THE SIGNALS BLINK. 2. MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS WON'T WORK AT ALL AND I HAD TO REMOVE THE UPPER PART OF THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY BUMP IT THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T WORK. 3. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK ON LOW UNLESS I TURN ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN THE LEFT SIGNAL IS BLINKING THE WIPERS WORK PERFECT ON LOW. WHEN I TURN THE WIPERS ON FAST THEY WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ON AND THEN THEY GO UP THREE INCHES AND DOWN THREE INCHES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY FALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V017000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: SWITCH/WIRING). TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY FALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V017000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: SWITCH/WIRING). THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER HONORING THE RECALL BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS INITIATED IN 1997. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER NOSE FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE, AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER NOSE FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE, AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,000. UPDATED 07/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/15/08
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. HE WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPAIRED ON AUGUST 17, 2004. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL 97V017000 DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT …
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. HE WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPAIRED ON AUGUST 17, 2004. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL 97V017000 DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLES AGE AND MILEAGE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. *AK
ENTERED MY CAR AFTER BEING INSIDE STORE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK FROM THE FRONT OR REAR AT THE TIME OF MY ENTRY, I BECAME DIZZY FROM THE POWDER. THE HORN BECAME ACTIVATED AND WOULD NOT STOP. HAD TO REMOVE A FUSE TO GET THE HORN TO STOP. …
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ENTERED MY CAR AFTER BEING INSIDE STORE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK FROM THE FRONT OR REAR AT THE TIME OF MY ENTRY, I BECAME DIZZY FROM THE POWDER. THE HORN BECAME ACTIVATED AND WOULD NOT STOP. HAD TO REMOVE A FUSE TO GET THE HORN TO STOP. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE FOLLOWED BY STEAM POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, THE STRONG ODOR OF OIL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING HOSE RUBBED INTO A MOUNTING BOLT WHICH RESULT…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE FOLLOWED BY STEAM POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, THE STRONG ODOR OF OIL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING HOSE RUBBED INTO A MOUNTING BOLT WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND FLUID.
I HAVE A 94 CUTLASS OLDS WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AND THEN STOPS. TODAY I ALMOST HIT KID CROSSING THE STREET. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I JUST HAD MY BRAKES REPLACED ALL THE WAY AROUND A…
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I HAVE A 94 CUTLASS OLDS WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AND THEN STOPS. TODAY I ALMOST HIT KID CROSSING THE STREET. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I JUST HAD MY BRAKES REPLACED ALL THE WAY AROUND AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I HAD THEM REPLACED ON 8-16-05. THIS DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME SO THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THEY ARE NOT GOING TO STOP RIGHT AWAY. I CHECKED YOUR SITE AND THERE ARE 16 COMPLAINTS ON THE BRAKES. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE TO MAKE GM DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THE CAR IS A 94 BUT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF US ON THE STREETS. I AM THINKING ABOUT CALLING THE NEWS STATION HOTLINE SO THIS PROBLEM WILL REALLY BE MADE PUBLIC AND SEE HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE COMPLAIN.
Official recalls
497V017000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring
Feb 11, 1997
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
95V061000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 22, 1995
THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE HOSE(S) CAN CONTACT THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE(S) TO WEAR THROUGH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE HOSE POSITION AND REPLACE THOSE HOSES IN AN INCORRECT POSITION WITH NEW HOSES AND CORRECTLY ROUTED.
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.
93V162000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Sep 27, 1993
THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONDUIT END FITTING WHILE ENGAGED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD BE LOST.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL MAY NOT REDUCE ENGINE SPEEDTO A LEVEL ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STOPPEDWITH THE SERVICE BRAKE, LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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