IllustrationTHE INTAKE GASKET LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THESE 3.1 LITER ENGINES HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS. *AK *SC *JB
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
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: 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.
15 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
17 reportsTHERE IS A PISTON SLAP IN ENGINE WHICH MEANS THAT OIL DOES NOT REACH PISTONS WELL ENOUGH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK *YD
WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, DEALER STATED A ROD CAME THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK, UPON INSPECTION DEALER FOUND THE WRONG SIZE OIL DRAIN PLUG ON THE OIL PAN, CONSUMER STATES TWO COMPUTERS WERE PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED DUE TO VEHICLE EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS, FUEL FILTER WAS ALSO REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT T…
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WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, DEALER STATED A ROD CAME THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK, UPON INSPECTION DEALER FOUND THE WRONG SIZE OIL DRAIN PLUG ON THE OIL PAN, CONSUMER STATES TWO COMPUTERS WERE PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED DUE TO VEHICLE EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS, FUEL FILTER WAS ALSO REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SLC
WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN OUT OF STATE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP. CONSUMER REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED HOME, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTATCED, BUT …
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WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN OUT OF STATE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP. CONSUMER REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED HOME, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTATCED, BUT REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE OIL BURNING
HEAD GASKET PREMATURELY FAILED AT ONLY 38,000 MILES, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ALL POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACD . RETURNED TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT ONTO ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING DUE TO TMING CHAIN FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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.