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1996 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 →
123Owner complaints

Model-year median: 17

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
139
1993148
1994156
1995123
199696
1997155
199880
1999
Compare all Cutlass years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
22Service Brakes, Hydraulic
20Electrical System
15Engine And Engine Cooling
15Power Train
13
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
9Steering
8Seat Belts
7Structure
7Fuel System, Gasoline
6Seats
6Exterior Lighting
5Suspension
5Unknown Or Other
5Latches/locks/linkages
3Tires
2Engine
1Visibility
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: 19 of 123 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 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 reports5 fire reports10 injury reports

Seats complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2003
SeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB ALSO, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANIMS DO NOT LOCK INTO POSITION AND CAN ALLOW FOR SEAT OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, DASH, WINDSHIELD DURING …

Read full complaint

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB ALSO, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANIMS DO NOT LOCK INTO POSITION AND CAN ALLOW FOR SEAT OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, DASH, WINDSHIELD DURING A CRASH. MJJ

NHTSA ODI #10015987

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2002
Seats

WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION DRIVER'S POWER SEAT WILL MOVE FORWARD AND/OR BACKWARD INVOLUNTARILY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013235

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
SeatsCrashInjury

SEAT FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT, BEDING BACKWARDS DURING REAR END COLLISION, THUS NOT PROTECTING BACK AND NECK FROM INJURY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #760634

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeatsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS HIT FROM REAR BY A CAR TRAVELING 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED AND CAME OFF THE TRACK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ET

NHTSA ODI #898457

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 1997
Power TrainSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION DROPS DOWN TO LOW GEAR WHEN GAS RELEASED CAUSING VIBRATION RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #525522

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1996
Seats

SEAT BACK DOES NOT REMAIN STATIONARY WHEN STOPPING SUDDENLY. *SD

NHTSA ODI #505737

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.