1979 Oldsmobile CUTLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1979 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 50.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
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 | 0 |
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: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 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 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 489709 · 1995-04-25 (April 25, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003055 · 2002-01-29 (January 29, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH, AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, VEHICLE STALLED. TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003055 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
79V101000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 1979-04-17 (April 17, 1979)
AN INCORRECT FLUID WAS USED AS AN ASSEMBLY AID (LUBRICATION) DURING INSTALLATION OF THE PISTON SEAL IN FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WHICH WERE INSTALLED IN 10.5" X 1" DISC BRAKE ASSEMBLIES USED ON "A" SERIES CARS. THE INCORRECT FLUID ATTACKS THE PISTON SEAL AND CAUSES THEM TO SWELL AND DETERIORATE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE CALIPER PISTON SEALS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗79V142000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1979-06-06 (June 6, 1979)
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗79V196000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
Reported: 1979-08-28 (August 28, 1979)
THE INVOVLED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS". INCORRECT HEAD RESTRAINTS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW HEAD RESTRAINTS AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗81V022000 · Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear
Reported: 1981-02-11 (February 11, 1981)
THE ELECTRO-CLEAR REAR WINDOW DEFOGGERS CONTAIN A DEFECT WHICH CAUSES THE GLASS TO SHATTER WITHOUT IMPACT DURING OR SOME TIME AFTER USE OF THE DEFOGGER. VERTICAL ELECTRICAL STRIPS MAY DETERIORATE AND CAUSE HOT SPOTS THAT CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE REAR GLASS.
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR PRESENCE OF A PARTICULAR WEATHERSTRIP. IF PRESENT, A LAYER OF A SPECIAL CONDUCTIVE EPOXY WILL BE ADDED TO THE VERTICAL BAR ON THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. THIS EPOXY IS A NEW CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL WHICH WILL NOT REACT WITH THE WEATHERSTRIP.
NHTSA campaign record ↗81V025000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1981-02-25 (February 25, 1981)
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.
Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗84V149000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 1984-11-24 (November 24, 1984)
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AXLES THAT WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE BUFFALO PLANT. IF SO, THEY WILL MAKE AXLE MEASUREMENTS AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE OR MODIFY AFFECTED AXLE COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V048000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders
Reported: 1985-04-29 (April 29, 1985)
EXCESSIVE ENLARGEMENT OF THE WHEEL CYLINDER PILOT HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE COULD ALLOW THE WHEEL CYLINDER TO ROTATE AND CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID LEADS TO LOSS OF REAR BRAKE ACTION, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. FRONT BRAKES WOULD REMAIN OPERATIONAL.
Remedy: ADD A PART TO PREVENT WHEEL CYLINDER FROM ROTATING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗