1997 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 1997 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
- Steering1426.9%
- Brakes1223.1%
- Engine59.6%
- Seat belts35.8%
- Suspension35.8%
- Body & structure35.8%
- Airbags23.8%
- Electrical23.8%
- Interior & seats23.8%
- Powertrain (other)11.9%
- Driver assistance11.9%
- Heating & air conditioning11.9%
- Tires & wheels11.9%
- Transmission11.9%
- Visibility11.9%
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER HAVING RECALL 03V527000 PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE, I AM HAVING CLICKING NOISES EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS AUTHORIZED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A LEAKING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE RECALL WORK COULD BE DONE. REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION WAS PART OF THE RECALLED PROBLEM. DEALER CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAD TO BE REPLACED *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN BRAKING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT REAR PISTONS WERE STUCK AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IT WAS NOT KNOWN HOW LONG THE VEHICLE WAS IN THIS CONDITION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM BESIDES THE NOISE. *AK *LA
WHEN BRAKING AND DRIVING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, WAS DETERMINED THAT REAR CALIPER SLIDES WERE FROZEN AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS AN OILY SCENT AND HAS OIL DEPOSITS INSIDE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER REPLACED RACK AND PINION AND RIGHT AXLE.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THE LOWER PINION BEARING DAMAGED, DUST CAP MISSING, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING, SERPENTINE BELT CRACKED AND THE RIGHT AXLE BOOT TORN, WHICH CAUSED AXLE NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, AXLE SEAL, REPLACED AND RESEALED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND FLUSHED THE BRAKE AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED AT THE LEFT REAR. THE BRAKE HOSE WAS TWISTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE. *TS *NLM
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
THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FELL OFF. DRIVER'S SIDE THE SEAT BELT FASTENER CRACKED AND WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT ABLE TO BE LATCHED. DEALERSHIP DID NOT INDICATE WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THEY WERE JUST QUOTING THE REPLACING PRICE OF THE PART.*AK
WHILE TRYING TO USE REAR LAP&SHOULDER BELT UNITS THEY LOCKED UP. CONSUMER THEN TRIED REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LAP&SHOULDER BELT, AND BUCKLE WAS BROKEN. *AK THE MIDDLE LAP BELT DOES NOT HOLD A CHILD CAR SEAT. *YH
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
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
REAR OF VEHICLE MAKES A "CRUNCH" NOISE WHEN TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. *YC
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
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40-45MPH WHEN VEHICLE WANDERED TO THE LEFT 3-4 FEET INTO OTHER LANE, DEALER FOUND A BROKEN WELD ON THE LOWER SUB FRAME CRADLE THAT CONNECTS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TO FRAME, THE BROKEN WLED CAUSED THE STEERING MOUNTING BUSHINGS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. *SLC
THE PASSENGER'S DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MRS. JONES OWNES A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. ON MARCH 10, 2004, I ENTERED THE DRIVER SEAT OF THE SAID CAR TO DEPART FROM HOME. WHEN I ENGAGED THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG STRUCK ME IN FACE, CAUSING INJURY.*AK
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAD DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VIN[XXX] IS NOT INCLUDED IN GM RECALL # 03V-527. MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR FROM CALDWELL CLOVER CHEVROLET, AN AUTHORIZED GM FACILITY IS $843.00. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL EFFECTED AUTOMOBILES WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED APPROX. 8 - 12 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS SAME CAR IS THE HORN. IT DOES NOT BLOW. AN AUTHORIZED GM FACILITY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNDER THE HOOD AND STATED IT IS IN THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE AIR BAG WHICH IS A TIMELY AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSTANT. THE HORN HAS NOT BLOWN IN OVER 1YEAR EXCEPT ON THE RARE OCCASION (APPROX. EVERY TWO MONTHS) IT WILL BLOW FOR LESS THAN 20 MIN. THEN STOP AGAIN.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
BATTERY DIED. YH
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
CONSUMER HEARING NOISE FROM THE A/C UNIT WHEN IT'S ON. NLM
SINCE NEW ENGINE MADE NOISE,GEARS SLIPPING WITH ODOR FROM COMPARTMENT (POOR PERFORMANCE), RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE POWER FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. (MJS)
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
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER REPLACED RACK AND PINION AND RIGHT AXLE.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THE LOWER PINION BEARING DAMAGED, DUST CAP MISSING, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING, SERPENTINE BELT CRACKED AND THE RIGHT AXLE BOOT TORN, WHICH CAUSED AXLE NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, AXLE SEAL, REPLACED AND RESEALED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND FLUSHED THE BRAKE AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED AT THE LEFT REAR. THE BRAKE HOSE WAS TWISTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE. *TS *NLM
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
WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE "BUCKED" OR LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER HEARING NOISE FROM THE A/C UNIT WHEN IT'S ON. NLM
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
WHILE DRIVING 70MPH THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE HUMMED FOR A WHILE THEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, CONFLICT BETWEEN GOODYEAR AND GM. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS AUTHORIZED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A LEAKING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE RECALL WORK COULD BE DONE. REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION WAS PART OF THE RECALLED PROBLEM. DEALER CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAD TO BE REPLACED *JB
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
NO SUMMARY
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 .