1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags3533.7%
- Brakes2120.2%
- Transmission98.7%
- Electrical98.7%
- Engine76.7%
- Visibility32.9%
- Fuel system32.9%
- Exterior lighting32.9%
- Interior & seats21.9%
- Powertrain (other)21.9%
- Steering21.9%
- Driver assistance21.9%
- Body & structure21.9%
- Other / unspecified11.0%
- Suspension11.0%
- Seat belts11.0%
- Tires & wheels11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY.*AK
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES AS IT TRAVELED DOWN A STEEP ROCK AND SHRUB COVERED EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BOULDER WHERE IT CAME TO REST ON ITS ROOF. (ARTHUR BLANKEMAN ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER TERRY GELLER) ( TIRE MAKE/MODEL, SPECTRUM STARFIRE, SIZE 215/65 R16) ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I REALIZE THAT AT THE TIME OF FILLING OUT THIS QUESTIONAIRRE THAT THIS MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MADE BY GM BUT I DID SEE I STORY ABOUT THE OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND FELT COMPLELLED TO WRITE. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES ON THIS CAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 1995 AND IT NOW HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THAT THE BRAKES WERE DONE THEY WERE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM OURSELVES THE PAST TWO TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS A COMPLETE FOUR WHEEL REPLACEMENT WITH ROTORS AND PADS ALL THE WAY AROUND. WE WERE VERY DISPLEASED WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED SO OFTEN.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AND REACHING SPEEDS UP TO 45 AND 50 MPH THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE. *JG
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE LOST POWER ON THE RIGHT SIDE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
MY CAR HAD A LOSS OF POWER WHEN IT REACHED NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND GOING ON HIGHWAY SPEEDS. YOU HAD TO PUT THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE MAT IN ORDER TO KEEP GOING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE MOTOR. THEY REPLACED THE THERSMOSTAT AND FLUSHED THE RADIATOR BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX THE CAR. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE CATALIC CONVERTOR BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT EITHER. THE NEXT STEP WAS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TESTED. THAT DID IT, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE'S A VACUUM LEAK IN BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO OVERHEAT. THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. MR. TRANSMISSION (MY MECHANIC) HAD ANOTHER CUTLASS SAME YEAR, MODEL, & A LITTLE MORE MILAGE THAN MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. A CO-WORKER HAD THE SAME MODEL, MILAGE, & YEAR AND HE ALSO REPLACED HIS TRANSMISSION. I HAD CONTACTED GM AND THEIR EXCUSE IS I DIDN'T TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I RE-SEARCHED YOUR SITE AND SINCE 1990 ALL SEDANS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM GENERAL MOTORS HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS. BY THE WAY, HERE THE TRANSMISSION MODEL 4T60E. THAT SAME MODEL HAS BEEN USED FOR YEARS ON ALL SEDANS SINCE 1994.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THREE DAYS LATER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *MR
SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE IGNITION TO LOCK, AND VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS RUINED THE ENGINE AND NEEDED REPLACING. IT WAS 3.1L GM MOTOR IN A 1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME GL SI. *JB
VEHICLE HAD FOUR BATTERIES AND TWO ALTERNATORS REPLACERD WITHIN THREE YEARS AT A REPAIRS SHOP. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SENSOR IN THE LEFT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE TO THE POINT WHERE VEHICLE CAN LOSE CONTROL IF IN THE RAIN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER NOTED THAT FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER PERFORMED AN INJECTOR SERVICE, THROTTLE BODY SERVICE, ADDED AN ADATIVE TO CLEAN THE VALVES, REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, WIRES, PLUGS, RELAY, AND THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *TT
CONSUMER WOULD FILL TANK AND LATER THE FUMES WOULD BE VERY LOUD. IF OVER NIGHT THERE WOULD BE A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE, ONLY IF THE TANK WAS FULL. MECHANIC REPLACED THE TANK AND FOUND A HOLE IN THE UPPER AREA, (CONSUMER STILL HAS THE TANK WITH THE HOLE).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. NLM
CONSUMER HAS TO ADD 2QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. PROBLEM HAS BEEN SINCE VEHICLE HAD 10,000 MILES. CONSUMER WAS AT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS GIVEN A TSB (87-60-03) REGARDING LOWER INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS SAYING THAT CONSUMER HAD TO SPEND $600 TO REPAIR PROBLEM. OLDSMOBILE WILL BE CONTACTED TO EXPLAIN REASON OF LETTER, AND WHY CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT. *AK IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED DUE TO SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE SWITCH AND LEFT FRONT WHELL SPEED SENSOR. 2 HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP BULBS BURNT OUT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ELECTICAL SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN I WENT TO ADUJUST IT. I COLD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND CHECKED THE FUSE BOX. THE FUSE FOR THE SEAT WAS SO HOT I BURNED MY FINGER. I PULLED THE FUSE WITH SOME CLOTH AND TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM ON THE SEATS.? *AK
THE GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/BRAKES/SEATBACKS/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNITAND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/BRAKES/SEATBACKS/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNITAND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
TRANS AXLE AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN TURNING CORNERS POWER STEERING FAILED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO STRUGGLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE TURN WAS MADE, A FEW SECONDS LATER, POWER STEERING RESUMED. *AK *JB
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS. SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER ASSIST WHILE TURNING LEFT CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENT. CAR WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD INTO A BRICK RETAINING WALL CAUSING OVER $3,000 DAMAGE TO THE CAR PLUS $350 DAMAGE TO THE WALL. AFTER TOWING CAR HOME, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO "NORMAL" OPERATION. POLICE REPORT INDICATES COMPLAINT OF SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING CAUSING STEERING TO FEEL AS IF IT WERE LOCKED IN POSITION. CAR IS JUST NOW REPAIRED AND DRIVABLE. THIS IS SEEMINGLY IDENTICAL TO SYMPTOMS ON '96 AND NEWER GM CARS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT...THIS TIME. NEXT TIME, WHO KNOWS?! *CB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SENSOR IN THE LEFT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM
THE GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/BRAKES/SEATBACKS/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNITAND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AND REACHING SPEEDS UP TO 45 AND 50 MPH THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE. *JG
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER'S RESTRAINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS THE RESTRAINTS WILL NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR SQUEAKS, DEALER ADJUSTED WINDOW TRACK AND ADDED A RUBBER STOPPER. TRUNK LEAKS. GENERATOR AND ALTERNATOR SHORTED OUT AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AND REACHING SPEEDS UP TO 45 AND 50 MPH THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE. *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER'S RESTRAINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS THE RESTRAINTS WILL NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR SQUEAKS, DEALER ADJUSTED WINDOW TRACK AND ADDED A RUBBER STOPPER. TRUNK LEAKS. GENERATOR AND ALTERNATOR SHORTED OUT AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES AS IT TRAVELED DOWN A STEEP ROCK AND SHRUB COVERED EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BOULDER WHERE IT CAME TO REST ON ITS ROOF. (ARTHUR BLANKEMAN ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER TERRY GELLER) ( TIRE MAKE/MODEL, SPECTRUM STARFIRE, SIZE 215/65 R16) ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .