RoadVitals

1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass

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.
18
Latest Apr 17, 2008
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.
3
Latest Jun 16, 1989
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.
6
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.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and transmission categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 NHTSA investigations name it.

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

  • Engine420.0%
  • Driver assistance420.0%
  • Transmission315.0%
  • Steering315.0%
  • Suspension210.0%
  • Tires & wheels210.0%
  • Brakes15.0%
  • Seat belts15.0%

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

Safety recalls

3 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
89V102000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jun 16, 1989
1,755,897 units potentially affected
The defect: A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).
The risk: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
84V154000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Nov 27, 1984
19 units potentially affected
The defect: THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHICH MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY DURING A COLLISION.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
84V124000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Oct 10, 1984
10,359 units potentially affected
The defect: THE TIE RODS ARE PART OF THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TRANSMIT TURNING MOVEMENTS TO THE WHEELS. THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE TIE RODS TO THEIR ADJUSTERS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. THIS COULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD TO LOOSEN AND DETACH ITSELF FROM THE ADJUSTER.
The remedy: THE TIE ROD END BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE89145ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE CABLE

Opened Jul 21, 1989
Closed Sep 22, 1989

===

PARKING BRAKE
PE89104ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

JAMMED STEERING MECHANISM

Opened Mar 17, 1989
Closed May 12, 1989

SUMMARY: THE OIL FILL TUBE MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ANDPOSSIBLY BECOME LODGED NEAR THE STEERING GEAR.THIS MAY CAUSE THESTEERING MECHANISM TO BECOME JAMMED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL.===

STEERING
C89001ClosedInvestigation

THROTTLE NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989
Closed Jan 16, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA88023ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE LINKAGE STICKING

Opened Feb 2, 1988
Closed Mar 6, 1989

===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. A FEW YEARS EARLIER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND ON APRIL 13, 2008, THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE OILER RACKER ARM ASSEMBLY. THE ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING A HOLE FOR THE OIL TO FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SPEED AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 5/6/08 *CN UPDATED 05/06/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10224846
Incident
Apr 13, 2005
Mileage
139,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2001
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS DISABLED AND PARKED, DUE TO SUSPECTED ENGINE TROUBLE, THE ABANDONED VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.*JB(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT#10-90-485)

NHTSA ID
563740
Incident
Aug 11, 2001
Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2001
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE DIED, THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE OVER AND FLAMES BEGAN COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM

NHTSA ID
560374
Incident
Jan 22, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 27, 2000

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60-65MPH IN A 1985 STATION WAGON OLDSMOBILE, CUTLASS CIERA. DRIVER'S REAR TIRE SEPARATED. CONSUMER SAID IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS PULLED APART WITH A KNIFE. TIRE WERE PURCHASED 2-18-98 WITH 10-12,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.TIRE SIZE IS 195/75R14. THE MODEL TIRE IS A PREMIER 4.*AK

NHTSA ID
874001
Incident
Oct 25, 2000
Driver assistanceSeat belts
Filed Oct 17, 2000

BOTH PASSENGER'S SID EAND DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, CRUISE CONTROL SURGES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY.*AK

NHTSA ID
873165
Incident
Sep 30, 1985
Steering
Filed Oct 17, 2000

STEERING WHEEL HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THREE PLACES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
873143
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 16, 1999

CAR UNEXPECTEDLY SPEEDS UP/ACCELERATES. *AK

NHTSA ID
703364
Steering
Filed Dec 3, 1998

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. BEEN TO DEALER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
831741
Incident
Nov 26, 1998

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile Cutlass by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001000—
2000000—
1999801038.1
19981553656.9
1997963660.3
19961231045.7
19951564053.3
19941485053.9
19931395159.8
19921364262.0
19911938863.4
19901036464.2
19891136462.1
1988746862.5
1987162363.2
1986233362.8
1985Viewing183668.5
1984162565.5
1983521—
1982120—
1981321—
1980351—
1979281—
1978061—
1977320—
1976320—
1975040—
1974030—
1973020—
1967010—

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.