RoadVitals

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Oct 6, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
0 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure834.8%
  • Brakes417.4%
  • Steering417.4%
  • Engine28.7%
  • Suspension28.7%
  • Fuel system14.3%
  • Transmission14.3%
  • Visibility14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
00V189000

STRUCTURE

Jul 11, 2000
713,435 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00061/00065View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RP01001ClosedRecall Process

STRUCTURE

Opened Nov 28, 2001
Closed Jun 13, 2002

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 00V189000
EA92024ClosedEngineering Analysis

STICKING THROTTLE

Opened Jun 26, 1992
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA91055ClosedEngineering Analysis

W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE

Opened Dec 5, 1991
Closed Aug 17, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE91072ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened May 1, 1991
Closed Jul 8, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 23
Body & structure
Filed Oct 6, 2005

THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF CONSUMER 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. *TS THE CRADLE FELL DROPPING THE ENGINE DUE TO CONDENSATION FORMING BETWEEN THE RUBBER MOUNTING SUPPORTS AND THE METAL FRAMEWORK. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10139894
Incident
Aug 20, 2005
Transmission
Filed Jun 24, 2005

DT:CONSUMER WAS CLIMBING A HILL AT 5% GRADE FIVE MILES LONG ON FREEWAY WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN FROM OVERDRIVE TO SECOND GEAR AND LOCKED IN SECOND. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT COME OUT OF SECOND GEAR. CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AFTER THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT GO TO FIRST GEAR, SO TRYING TO PULL OUT IN SECOND GEAR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. CONSUMER SAYS TRANSMISSION WENT OUT LIKE THIS THREE TIMES. FIRST TWO TIMES ON AN UPWARD GRADE, THE THIRD TIME WAS ON A FLAT. THE FIRST TWO TIMES TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL SHOP AND HAD A USED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FROM THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER SAYS THAT OTHER GM OWNERS HAVE TOLD HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS, AND SOME PLATE IN THE VALVE BODY MELTS, WHICH CASES TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION ONTO THE ROAD.*AK

NHTSA ID
10126494
Incident
Jun 15, 2000
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2004

SUB FRAME BOLTS RUSTED AWAY AND PULLED THE WASHERS AND RUBBER BUSHINGS THEN THE STEERING SHAFT PULLED OUT OF THE STEERING BOX CAUSING NO STEERING. I PHONED GM IN ONTARIO JUST TO ADVISE THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS. THE LADY I WAS SPEAKING TO GOT REAL DEFENSIVE AND BELLIGERENT AND SAID IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS SHE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THEN SAID GOODBYE AND HUNG UP. THEN I FOUND OUT ON THE INTERNET BY ACCIDENT A WEB SITE FROM A GOVERNMENT AGENT LISTING THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY CAR AND THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN ON JULY 05/03 A FRIEND OF OURS TOLD US ABOUT YOUR WEB SITE AND THAT YOUR COMPANY MAY TAKE UP MY CASE BECAUSE MYSELF OR ANY OF MY FAMILY OR FRIENDS COULD HAVE DIED AND MAYBE KILLED OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER WHEN I WAS ON THE HIWAY AT 80 KM/HR. I JUST WANTED GM TO LET OTHER OWNERS KNOW SO THEY COULD GET IT FIXED BEFORE ANYTHING FATAL HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM INTERESTED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS WEB SITE AND FOR LISTENING TO MY SITUATION.

NHTSA ID
10071360
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
145,400 mi
Filed Jan 15, 2004

PAINT FLAKING ON HOOD AND ROOF OF VEHICLE. JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE. SPOKE WITH GM SERVICE MANAGER WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST GM CONCERNING DEFECTIVE PAINT ON THEIR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
10068961
Incident
May 15, 2003
Mileage
116,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 31, 2003

THIS WAS PERFORMED REGARDING THE CRADLE BOLTS ON 10/24/02. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR AN ALIGNMENT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS ROTTED AND CORRODED. *JB...*AK

NHTSA ID
10014792
Incident
Mar 31, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Aug 14, 2002

LOST STEERING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT T ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS HAD DISCONNECTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8016305
Incident
Apr 11, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Jan 8, 2002

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER PER SAFETY RECALL 00V189 FOR REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AND REAR CRADLE BOLT RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE QUARTER FRAME WAS ALSO DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AWAY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. *TT

NHTSA ID
785868
Body & structure
Filed Jan 4, 2001

WAS DRIVING 30MPH AND IT BECAME HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF STEERING. MANAGED TO GET TO A DEALER & WAS INFORMED THAT SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED. THIS CAUSED ENGINE & STEERING RACK TO DROP. *AK

NHTSA ID
877464
Incident
Aug 1, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

990309004

SUSPENSION

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF GRINDING / SCRAPING / GROANING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1997431250.3
1996472356.4
1995771254.1
1994430140.9
1990382558.6
1989Viewing232452.9
1988222459.8
1987302—
1980010—
1979010—
1976010—
1975010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.