1989 Oldsmobile CUTLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
74 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
200,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 74 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 34 | 45.9% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 10.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 13 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 5 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 13; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 5; Structure: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3
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 | 1 |
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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 73 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 | 41 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 41; 1996: 6; 2000: 11; 2001: 7; 2002: 4; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2008: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10037984 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
LTR FM SEBASTIAN SCOLLO (CT) REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BRAKE REPAIRS ON HIS 1989 GM OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME.*MR CONSUMER IS ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BRAKE REPAIRS.*TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071781 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S RESIDENCE. *AK THE LIGHT DEVICE FLASHED RED/GREEN BEFORE GOING DEAD ON A STEEP HILL AND OR DANGEROUS CURVE. THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THEN THE VEHICLE WENT DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT THROUGH A FENCE. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230794 · 2008-06-12 (June 12, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ONCE HE LEFT THE MECHANIC, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE IS PLANNING TO RETURN TO THE STATE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960297 · 1995-02-21 (February 21, 1995)
IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480318 · 1995-01-25 (January 25, 1995)
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480318 at NHTSA ↗