1991 Oldsmobile CUTLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
126 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
88,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 126 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 31.0% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 15.9% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 6 |
Structure: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 6
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 118 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 | 44 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 44; 1996: 21; 2000: 20; 2001: 15; 2002: 12; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 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 10017980 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS STICKING AND CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099911 · 2004-11-12 (November 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK.....ALL STEERING WAS LOST NOT JUST POWER STEERING. WITH NO CONTROL, VEHICLE MOVED TO THE NEXT LANE. DRIVER HAD NO STEERING, ONLY COULD USE BRAKES. DEALER BOUGHT IT FOR $500.00 TO GERT VEHICLE OFF ROAD.F THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019720 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BOLT BECAME LOSE WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND. WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *NLM THE STEERING KNUCKLE RIPPED OUT AND THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD TO FALL OUT. THE CRADLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089411 · 2004-08-23 (August 23, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $ 1250. BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557011 · 2000-10-31 (October 31, 2000)
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STALLING, NEW PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN CLEANED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007026 · 2002-04-08 (April 8, 2002)
WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONING, ALTERNATOR GOES OUT AND KILLS THE BATTERY. HAD 4 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIES REPLACED. TOOK TO DEALER WHO INDICATED ENGINE WAS TOO BIG FOR ALTERNATOR ALSO CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL, ENGINE COOLING FAN REPLACED, POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE FAILED AND REPLACED, REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, CEILING FABRIC COMING UNGLUED AND DASHBOARD VENT COVER COMING OFF. *AK *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959476 · 1995-02-02 (February 2, 1995)
THE CAP COVERING WIRING TO DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CONTROL FALLS OFF ONTO FLOOR, COULD FALL UNDER BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL; WOULD HINDER BRAKING AND ACCLERATION. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489307 · 1995-04-11 (April 11, 1995)
DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY PLATE, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502361 · 1996-04-30 (April 30, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502361 at NHTSA ↗