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
What owners actually said
148 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2000
Suspension
RIGHT REAR STRUT PIERCED RIGHT THREW THE ROCKER PANEL, HITTING THE TRUNK AS I DRIVE, THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK TODAY 06/08/00 THE LEFT REAR SIDE WENT THREW. I SAY THIS IS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SOMETHING LIKE THAT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. I'T ALSO HAPPPENEND TO A GUY AT WORK, SAME CAR SAME YEAR, B…
Read full complaint
RIGHT REAR STRUT PIERCED RIGHT THREW THE ROCKER PANEL, HITTING THE TRUNK AS I DRIVE, THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK TODAY 06/08/00 THE LEFT REAR SIDE WENT THREW. I SAY THIS IS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SOMETHING LIKE THAT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. I'T ALSO HAPPPENEND TO A GUY AT WORK, SAME CAR SAME YEAR, BUT HIS HAPPENED ONLY 2 WEEKS APART. THIS MUST BE A SOFT SPOT IN THE METAL WHERE IT DOESN'T HOLD THE STRUT DOWN GOOD ENOUGH. I CAN GIVE YOU THE GUYS NAME AND HE CAN TELL YOU. HE WARNED ME ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE GOING BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN OFF THE WALL THING. THIS IS A PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER 200 DOLLARS TO GET THAT ONE FIXED. PLEASE SEE TO THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723765
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY BRAKE FAILURE. HAS BEEN IN SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FOUND
NHTSA ODI #722734
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE, PREVENTING ANY OCCUPANT FROM ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE LATCH ASSEMBLY AND THE RIVOT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861743
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2000
Visibility
NHTSA RECALL 97V017000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 97003 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH. CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL, BUT DEALER WON'T DO RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO NOT FINDING THE RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861690
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2000
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WAS DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. PULLED HARD TO LEFT IN FRONT OF SEMI-TRAILER WHICH BROADSIDED VEHICLE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT IN USE. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NO INJURIES. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861449
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNAL LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN DETENT POSITION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #711206
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE AT AN 25 MPH IMPACT AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858785
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Unknown Or Other
I CONTACTED BOTH OLDSMOBILE & MICH. ATTY GEN. JENNIFER GRANHOLM WITH CONCERNS AND POTENTIAL FOR GREATER DAMAGE/INJURY. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717244
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 1999
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND KEPT GOING TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, BUT IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND HIT A TREE ON A FRONTAL IMPACT DURING WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, FAILING TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853462
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1999
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
FAILURES OUTLINED ABOVE CAUSED CAR ENGINE TO FAIL ON A TOTAL OF 3 OCCASIONS - COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED.
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.
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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