1986 Oldsmobile CUTLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 19 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 15.8% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 19 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 10; 1996: 2; 2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 557314 · 2000-11-14 (November 14, 2000)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959084 · 1995-01-24 (January 24, 1995)
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE/IT WOULD ONLY STAY IN LOW GEAR AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483356 · 1995-08-18 (August 18, 1995)
REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802725 · 1996-09-20 (September 20, 1996)
WHILE TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND THEN THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY OUT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081743 · 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)
CONSUMER STATES THAT HER DAUGHTER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE BOLT, WHICH COULD HURT HER. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLT IN 1997. THIS WAS CORRECTED WITH THE RECALL BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE BOLT DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE AT LEAST 3 TIMES SINCE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HAD THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT JUST THE OTHER DAY HER DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND WAS SITTING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET, FACING TRAFFIC. THE RECALL STATED THAT ONCE THE BOLT FALLS OUT CONSUMER LOSES CONTRO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10081743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961218 · 1995-03-06 (March 6, 1995)
COLD POWER STEERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089299 · 2004-08-19 (August 19, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970223 · 1995-08-11 (August 11, 1995)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970223 at NHTSA ↗