1991 Oldsmobile CUTLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014606 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. *JB THE NEW MOTOR DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014606 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10025017 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026592 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE CRADLE BOLT FAILED, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO DROP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034235 · 2003-08-20 (August 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH RECEIVED RECALL 00 V 189 000 FOR CRADLE BOLT OCCURRED. ENGINE DROPPED, AND VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE. VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056325 · 2004-02-02 (February 2, 2004)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES ALREADY BECAUSE IT WILL CUT OFF WILL DRIVING, PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING USING CONSUMER AUTOMOBILE REVIEW SITES ON THE WEB. I FIND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OR ONES VERY SIMILAR PRODUCED BY GM/OLDSMOBILE. KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,700 MILES ON IT. I HAVE A 2 YEAR WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070068 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. I'M A DISABLED PERSON, AND HUSBAND HAS BEEN DEPLOYED FOR A YEAR OR MORE, AND ALSO HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD THAT I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD VISITED MY HUSBAND WHERE HE'S ON STANDBY WAITING TO GO OVER SEAS, HE HAD TO TIE MY SEATBELT IN A KNOT TO GET IT TIGHT SO IT WOULD NOT GET IN THE WAY WHILE DRIVING OR GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. IS THERE ANYWAY THAT YOUR COMPANY CAN HELP ME GET THIS FIXED. MONEY IS TIGHT AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, AND CAN'T BE WITHOUT A C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070068 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V189000 · Structure
Reported: 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Consequence: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V003000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1992-01-10 (January 10, 1992)
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V043000 · Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
Reported: 1992-04-01 (April 1, 1992)
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Consequence: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V124000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 1992-09-01 (September 1, 1992)
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V173000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1995-09-15 (September 15, 1995)
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V058000 · Structure
Reported: 1997-04-08 (April 8, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗