1997 Oldsmobile CUTLASS SUPREME problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
68,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 26 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 11 | 42.3% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 19.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 12 |
2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 8; 2004: 12
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10040388 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)
WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT AT 10 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE DEALER NEVER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT, IT FAILED AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER AND THE REPAIR SHOP REALIGNED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LINE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,331 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041878 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER REPLACED RACK AND PINION AND RIGHT AXLE.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THE LOWER PINION BEARING DAMAGED, DUST CAP MISSING, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING, SERPENTINE BELT CRACKED AND THE RIGHT AXLE BOOT TORN, WHICH CAUSED AXLE NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, AXLE SEAL, REPLACED AND RESEALED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND FLUSHED THE BRAKE AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED A…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,744 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062627 · 2004-03-19 (March 19, 2004)
WHEN BRAKING AND DRIVING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, WAS DETERMINED THAT REAR CALIPER SLIDES WERE FROZEN AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059847 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS AUTHORIZED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A LEAKING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE RECALL WORK COULD BE DONE. REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION WAS PART OF THE RECALLED PROBLEM. DEALER CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAD TO BE REPLACED *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059847 at NHTSA ↗