RoadVitals

1986 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.
23
Latest Aug 19, 2004
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.
3
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.
4

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass, most frequently naming the steering, brakes and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Steering312.0%
  • Brakes312.0%
  • Driver assistance312.0%
  • Transmission312.0%
  • Engine312.0%
  • Body & structure28.0%
  • Seat belts28.0%
  • Tires & wheels28.0%

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
86V093000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Jul 14, 1986
2,223 units potentially affected
The defect: LEFT HANDED DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR PLATE MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN IN LOCK PILLAR SO THAT THE UNTHREADED SLOT OF THE PLATE ALIGNED WITH THE HOLE IN THE LOCK PILLAR. THIS RESULTED IN THE ANCHOR BOLT BEING DRIVEN INTO THE SLOT INSTEAD OF THE THREADED HOLE OF THE ANCHOR PLATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, BELT ANCHOR BOLT MAY PULL LOOSE FROM ANCHOR PLATE, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES, AND INCREASES LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANT.
The remedy: INSTALL A BOLT ANCHOR PLATE REINFORCEMENT AND NEW BOLT, AS NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
86V061000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

May 13, 1986
197 units potentially affected
The defect: AN INCORRECTLY INDEXED WIRING HARNESS MAY CAUSE THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OR PARKING LAMPS ARE ON. FMVSS 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT REQUIRES THAT THIS STOP LAMP BE LIGHTED ONLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. ALSO, THE OPERA LAMPS MAY COME ON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP PROVIDES ADDITIONAL WARNING THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING. IF THIS LAMP MALFUNCTIONS, IT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A REAR END ACCIDENT.
The remedy: CORRECTLY INDEX WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 23
Fuel system
Filed Aug 19, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10089299
Incident
Aug 19, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Jul 12, 2004

CONSUMER STATES THAT HER DAUGHTER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE BOLT, WHICH COULD HURT HER. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLT IN 1997. THIS WAS CORRECTED WITH THE RECALL BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE BOLT DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE AT LEAST 3 TIMES SINCE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HAD THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT JUST THE OTHER DAY HER DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND WAS SITTING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET, FACING TRAFFIC. THE RECALL STATED THAT ONCE THE BOLT FALLS OUT CONSUMER LOSES CONTROL OF STEERING. IT SEEMED THAT NOTHING WILL HOLD ENGINE BOLT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081743
Incident
Jul 12, 2004
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 6, 2001

CONSUMER KEPT HEARING NOISE FROM THE TIRE, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE TIRE WAS SPLITTING IN THE MIDDLE WHICH CAUSED IT TO GO FLAT (SUMITOMO 205X75X14-9SS). NLM

NHTSA ID
559451
Transmission
Filed Nov 14, 2000

TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
557314
Filed Oct 19, 2000

WHEN ARE YOU TESTING 2001 CARS AND TRUCKS?MOST DEALERS ALLREADY HAVE ALL 2001 IN STOCK

NHTSA ID
734698
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2000

PE-00-020; FIRESTONE, F360 TIRES PURCHASED FOR A 1986, OLDSMOBILE, CUTLASS, TIRE SIZE P195/75R14, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SHIMMY IN FRONT END WHEN PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SHREDDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK CONSUMER REPLACED ALL TIRES AND THE SHIMMY HAS GONE AWAY. *SLC

NHTSA ID
870610
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

NHTSA ID
553312
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 13, 1999

WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL IS STICKING ALL THE TIME. CONTACTED DEALER, AND COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
850584
Incident
Oct 8, 1999

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
1986Viewing233362.8
1985183668.5
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.