RoadVitals

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
47
Latest May 17, 2004
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 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

  • Airbags1019.6%
  • Brakes917.6%
  • Engine815.7%
  • Steering59.8%
  • Electrical59.8%
  • Interior & seats47.8%
  • Visibility23.9%
  • Body & structure23.9%
  • Driver assistance23.9%
  • Transmission23.9%
  • Fuel system12.0%
  • Suspension12.0%

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.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NHTSA# 00V171000 & MFR'S# 00058/INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT: CONSUMER STATES DEALER (TERRY CAPITAL OLDSMOBILE CADILLAC SUBARU; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; PHONE# 231/947-9090) INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WAS DONE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR MANUFACTURUER RECALL. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID 8006242 · filed Mar 22, 2002

AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN CONSUMER TURNED IGNITION ON. SHE RECEIVED NECK AND BACK INJURIES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID 892971 · filed Jul 17, 2001
All 10 reports naming airbags

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 TO 40 MPH, CONSUMER'S WIFE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ABS MODULATOR FAILED CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKES.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID 8017516 · filed Aug 29, 2002

DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION MECHANIC FOUND REAR BRAKE PADS ARE NOT TOUCHING THE DRUM, CONSUMER WONDERS IF ABS EVER WORKED.*AK CONSUMER STATES HE EXPRESSED CONCERNS TO DEALER PRIOR TO LEARNING ABOUT PADS REGARDING BRAKES AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. *SLC

NHTSA ID 884953 · filed Apr 3, 2001
All 9 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE FOR A REGULAR MAINTENANCE TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT, INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $410.00. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID 10066715 · filed May 17, 2004

THE CONSUMER HEARD A TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE NOISE BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE OIL. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD IS MAKE OF PLASTIC. *NM

NHTSA ID 10065565 · filed Apr 5, 2004
All 8 reports naming engine

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CONSUMER IS DISABLED WHICH PRECLUDES HER FROM DRIVING 30-40 MILES TO THE NEAREST OLDSMOBILE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RACK AND PINION RECALL AND THE CONSUMER WANTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE THE NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE CHEVROLET DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT THAT THE REPAIRS COULD NOT BE DONE THERE. *PH *CB

NHTSA ID 10067471 · filed Apr 15, 2004

WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT IT LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID 10055254 · filed Feb 19, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING THAT THE BATTERY WAS DISCHARGING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN MA. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS I EXITED THE ROAD. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IN 4 YEARS. NO ICONS CAME ON TO WARN ME. FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE CAR STALLED AT EXIT WITH TRUCKS EGRESSING THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID 10039389 · filed Sep 23, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER RECALL WAS DONE THE AIRBAG SENOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE TO DO A TEST TO SEE WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. MR

NHTSA ID 8020736 · filed Oct 11, 2002

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT HOT. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC BEFORE THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, IN WHICH THE THERMOSTAT, THE WATER PUMP, THE RADIATOR AND THE INTAKE GASKET WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *LA

NHTSA ID 10071946 · filed Apr 30, 2004

WHEN MAKING TURNS AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER A SLIGHT BUMP THE HEATER FAN WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF OR IF LISTENING TO THE RADIO THE STATION WILL CHANGE BY ITSELF. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS WILL SUDDENLY CLICK.THIS VEHICLE HAS TEMPERATURE AND RADIO CONTROLS INSTALLED ON STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE THE RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE AIR BAG DEFECT I INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM THINKING IT MAY RELATE TO THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG WIRING BUT I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS AND WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT HAND WHICH WAS THE AIR BAG INFLATER.

NHTSA ID 10025366 · filed Jul 3, 2003

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND ONE WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FIXED, DOOR MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, WINDSHIELD REPLACED 2 TIMES AND NOW THE COOLANT IS LEAKING ALONG WITH AN OIL VALVE AND THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. COST TO REPAIR THIS TIME IS ESTIMATED AT $1200

NHTSA ID 719881 · filed Mar 9, 2000

EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR VIBRATES.

NHTSA ID 603591 · filed Sep 11, 1997

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND ONE WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FIXED, DOOR MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, WINDSHIELD REPLACED 2 TIMES AND NOW THE COOLANT IS LEAKING ALONG WITH AN OIL VALVE AND THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. COST TO REPAIR THIS TIME IS ESTIMATED AT $1200

NHTSA ID 719881 · filed Mar 9, 2000

SPRING LOADED MECHANISM THAT KEEPS PASSENGER'S DOOR OPEN BROKE OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID 513847 · filed Oct 17, 1997

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS HAPPENED SOME TIME AGO BUT I RECENTLY READ OF AN INVESTIGATION THAT YOU HAVE UNDERTAKED AND DECIDED THAT THIS MAY BE RELEVANT. I ALSO HAVE SEEN SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A FREEWAY IN MORNING TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS THAT THIS SHOULD RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A RECALL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE REGULAR LANE OF TRAFFIC AND THEN TO THE BERM BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND BEFORE I WAS REAR ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. SINCE THERE IS DECELERATION WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS, THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE WRECKER, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE ADVISED ME THAT THE CABLE WAS INSTALLED WTIHOUT A CLIP AND THAT THE MANUFACTURERER WAS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DEFECT BUT HAD NOT RECALLED THE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 10056596 · filed Feb 5, 2004

THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE IN HALF, WHICH CAUSED THE GEARS TO STICK. *JB

NHTSA ID 10009641 · filed Feb 28, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND ONE WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FIXED, DOOR MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, WINDSHIELD REPLACED 2 TIMES AND NOW THE COOLANT IS LEAKING ALONG WITH AN OIL VALVE AND THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. COST TO REPAIR THIS TIME IS ESTIMATED AT $1200

NHTSA ID 719881 · filed Mar 9, 2000

WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE JERKS, AND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 830095 · filed Nov 4, 1998

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER BECAUSE IT WAS CLOGGED, HOWEVER, WE THEN HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CATALITIC CONVERTER.

NHTSA ID 702209 · filed Jan 14, 1999

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BALL JOINT BROKE, VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. *SLC

NHTSA ID 555681 · filed Oct 2, 2000

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

Data on this page last refreshed .