1996 Oldsmobile CUTLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
115,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 77 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 13 | 16.9% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 15.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Air Bags: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Steering: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 58 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
1996: 1; 2000: 21; 2001: 11; 2002: 14; 2003: 5; 2004: 6; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10015987 · 2003-04-16 (April 16, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB ALSO, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANIMS DO NOT LOCK INTO POSITION AND CAN ALLOW FOR SEAT OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, DASH, WINDSHIELD DURING A CRASH. MJJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042249 · 2003-10-24 (October 24, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *NLM THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM HIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WAS THE SAME AS RECALL #02V286000. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113668 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
THE ABS CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON, WHICH THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER.*AK THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND A WIRE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723747 · 2000-06-08 (June 8, 2000)
A SECOND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 56,000 MILES. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED IN FEB. 1997, # 67-71-64. OLDSMOBILE DID NOT MAKE ANYONE AWARE OF PROBLEM. WILL NOT FIX PROBLEM BECAUSE OVER WARRANTY PERIOD, THOUGH THEY KNEW OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION EXISTED. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST WELL OVER 150,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 52,000 TO 56,000 MILES. THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY ALL OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM SO IT CAN BE FIXED BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO FIX ANY TRANSMISS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744313 · 2001-04-20 (April 20, 2001)
TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 55 MPH.TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC AT 55 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING.THERE WAS NO NOISES NO SLIPPING OR ANY OTHER INDICATIONS.ONE MINUTE EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STOPS MOVING.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOUR IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND YOUR CAR SUDDENLY FAILS WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS WHAT SO EVER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146422 · 2005-12-19 (December 19, 2005)
LTR FM CONSUMER (FL) RE DEFECTIVE 1996 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. *TS SIX MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICE THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR A WHILE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED ANOTHER SENSOR. EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER 100,000 MILES . THE FUEL GAUGE NEVER GAVE THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK R…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10146422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146491 · 2005-12-29 (December 29, 2005)
LTR FM (FL) RE DEFECTIVE 1996 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. *TS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, THE BATTERY HAD A LOW CHARGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND OIL. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE INDICATOR FOR THE FUEL NEVER GAVE AN ACTUAL READING OF THE FUEL IN THE TANK, IT FLUCTUATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IT WAS HARD TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. THE CONSUMER HAD A WATER PUMP INSTALLED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10146491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784476 · 2000-02-03 (February 3, 2000)
FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081425 · 2004-08-12 (August 12, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER STOPPING FOR A FEW MINUTES VEHICLE STARTED UP AGAIN. DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND EVEN THEN NOTHING COULD BE DETECTED AS TO WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081425 at NHTSA ↗