1994 Oldsmobile CUTLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
99 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 99 complaints (10.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 22.2% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 6.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
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:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 10; Air Bags:Frontal: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Tires: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 88 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 | 30 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 30; 1996: 11; 2000: 18; 2001: 19; 2002: 5; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10019957 · 2003-05-15 (May 15, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049138 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)
THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ON MY 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CRUISER MAKE THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP ON AN ICY ROAD. AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, 15 MPH OR LESS ONCE THE ANTILOCK BREAKS KICK IN THE CAR TAKES OFF AND SLIDES RIGHT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION THIS BEHAVIOR IS UNPREDICTABLE, SCARY AND QUITE DANGEROUS. THE TIRES AND BRAKES ARE NEW AND IN GOOD CONDITION. DISABLING THE ANTILOCK BREAKS MAKES THE CAR VERY EASY TO STOP UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS EVEN IF A WHEEL SKIDS A LITTLE BIT. THIS ISN'T AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE AS MUCH AS IT IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN CONCEPT. …
Owner-reported narrative. 115,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159191 · 2006-06-07 (June 7, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE FOLLOWED BY STEAM POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, THE STRONG ODOR OF OIL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING HOSE RUBBED INTO A MOUNTING BOLT WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND FLUID.
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171987 · 2006-10-27 (October 27, 2006)
ENTERED MY CAR AFTER BEING INSIDE STORE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START CAR WHEN THE AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK FROM THE FRONT OR REAR AT THE TIME OF MY ENTRY, I BECAME DIZZY FROM THE POWDER. THE HORN BECAME ACTIVATED AND WOULD NOT STOP. HAD TO REMOVE A FUSE TO GET THE HORN TO STOP. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10171987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10351422 · 2010-08-24 (August 24, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY FALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V017000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: SWITCH/WIRING). THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER HONORING THE RECALL BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS INITIATED IN 1997. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10351422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485776 · 1995-07-03 (July 3, 1995)
WIRING SHORTED AT TRANSAXLE CASE SUPPORT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561988 · 2001-07-10 (July 10, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, DEALER STATED A ROD CAME THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK, UPON INSPECTION DEALER FOUND THE WRONG SIZE OIL DRAIN PLUG ON THE OIL PAN, CONSUMER STATES TWO COMPUTERS WERE PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED DUE TO VEHICLE EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS, FUEL FILTER WAS ALSO REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801159 · 1996-08-21 (August 21, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ALTERNATOR FAILURE, CAUSING ABS LIGHT TO APPEAR/ LOSS OF POWER ASSIST/ STEERING/BRAKES AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE FRONT END VIBRATES, FAILURE CAUSED ENGINE SHUTDOWN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958739 · 1995-01-17 (January 17, 1995)
WHEN SHIFT INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD. DRIVER THEN PUT INTO PARK WITH HIGH IDLE. 2) OWNERS ALSO HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING DROPPING INTO GEAR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986743 · 1996-07-11 (July 11, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, FUEL PUMP FAILED W/VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN IMMEDIATELY "NO WARNING".*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986743 at NHTSA ↗