1997 Oldsmobile CUTLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
79,462 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 64 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 22 | 34.4% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 21.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 11 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 11; Electrical System: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 34 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 9; 2002: 7; 2003: 6; 2004: 12; 2005: 6; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10002457 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 AND REPLACE STEERING COLUMN SEALS, ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2002 PROBLEM RECURRED. HAPPENED AGAIN ON JANUARY 8, 2003. THE STEERING EXPERIENCED MANY OTHER FAILURES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 82,752 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018446 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
1) AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I HAD IT TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES FOR A BODY MODULE MALFUNCTION. 2) IGNITION SWITCH WENT BAD COULD NOT START CAR, HAD TO BE TOWED, TOOK TWO ATTEMPTS TO FIX CORRECTLY 3) AIR-CONDITIONING BUTTON QUIT WORKING 4) SMOKE CAME FROM STEERING COLUMN 5) WHEN USING CIGARETTE LIGHTER, BLOWS AUXILIARY POWER FUSE 6) PASSENGER SIDE FOG LIGHT KEEPS BLOWING ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS 7) WINDOWS JUMP TRACK AND BACK WINDOWS GRADUALLY GO DOWN THEMSELVES. 8) WINDSHIELD WIPERS BREAK WHEN IN USE, WHOLE ARM DISCONNECTS LEAVING THEM USEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023375 · 2003-06-19 (June 19, 2003)
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES, USUALLY DURING A TURN, BUT NO ADVERSE CONDITIONS OCCUR. WHEN DIAGNOSED, IT WAS STATED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR WAS BAD. I HAVE HAD BOTH FRONT SPEED SENSORS REPLACED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, AND SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, I JUST DEAL WITH THE LIGHT. I JUST BROUGHT IT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO, AND AGAIN THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS SAID THAT IT WAS A SPEED SENSOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033265 · 2003-08-21 (August 21, 2003)
SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1997, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED, AN $800 REPAIR. THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED, A $400 REPAIR. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING HOME THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, I WAS WITHIN A MILE OF HOME, SO I JUST KEPT GOING. AS I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, ALL OF THE CONTROLS ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED, SPEED LIMIT, GAS GAUGE, ETC. I ALSO APPARENTLY HAD NO LIGHTS BECAUSE THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOS…
Owner-reported narrative. 137,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10837733 · 2016-02-23 (February 23, 2016)
IGNITION FAILURE WHEN SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE. IGNITION STUCK BETWEEN ACC AND OFF POSITION. DASHLIGHTS AND RADIO LIGHTS STAYED ON STEERING WHEEL WONT LOCK, SHIFT LEVER WONT LOCK FREELY MOVED. UNHOOKED BATTERY TO KEEP IT FROM DRAINING DOWN
Owner-reported narrative. 201,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10837733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052959 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)
LOSS OF POWER STEERING, GRINDING NOISE, LEAKING FLUID. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 64,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10794382 · 2015-11-17 (November 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01/20/16*LJ *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10794382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11351562 · 2020-08-27 (August 27, 2020)
I PURCHASED AFTERMARKET FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNIT FROM PARTS STORE :SPECTRA PREMIUM BRAND #GM30A FUEL TANK AND SP09D1H. AFTER INSTALLING THESE PARTS INTO MY CAR, I FOUND I HAD A LARGE GAS LEAK WHEN I FILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL LIKE ABOUT A GALLON WENT ON THE GROUND AND IT LEAKED AS I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP. I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK TAKEN OUT AND MY MECHANIC FOUND THE SEAL #L020 FROM SPECTRA PREMIUM, DID NOT FIT MAKING IT LEAK FUEL, INSTALLED ANOTHER NEW L020 SEAL AND BEFORE HE INSTALLED THE TANK INTO THE CAR HE DID A BENCH TEST AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11351562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742659 · 2001-03-19 (March 19, 2001)
STARTS AND RUNS BEAUTIFULLY UNTIL STOPPED BRIEFLY, WON'T RESART, TURNS OVER AND DIES. NO GAS SMELL. AFTER SITTING 15-20 MINUTES, STARTS. LIGHTS TURN ON WHEN CAR IS PARKED IF BUFFETED BY WIND. SHORT IN STALK SWITCH. DOME LIGHT DOESN'T GO OFF WHEN DOOR IS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719343 · 2000-02-27 (February 27, 2000)
SERVICE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES $1,200.00 FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR. MY QUESTIONS TO THIS ARE: 1. ARE THERE ANY HISTORIES OF SALVAGE, FLOOD DAMAGE, ODOMETER FRAUD, ETC., FOR THIS VEHICLE? 2. IS IT REASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT A 3-YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES (TWO-THIRDS TO THREE-QUARTERS OF WHICH ARE HIGHWAY MILES) SHOULD DEVELOP MAJOR MECHANICAL (TRANSMISSION) PROBLEMS? 3. WHAT OTHER COURSE(S) OF ACTION DO I HAVE BEYOND FILING THIS REPORT? *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 767117 · 2002-09-13 (September 13, 2002)
THE BEARING IN TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN, WHICH INTURN, RUINED THE GEARS. HAD TO REPLACE AND REBUILD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 2600 DOLLARS. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767117 at NHTSA ↗