RoadVitals

1987 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.
16
Latest Aug 13, 2001
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.
2
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
1 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and steering categories. 2 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

  • Engine526.3%
  • Seat belts526.3%
  • Steering315.8%
  • Transmission210.5%
  • Powertrain (other)15.3%
  • Driver assistance15.3%
  • Interior & seats15.3%
  • Body & structure15.3%

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

2 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
87V168000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Oct 26, 1987
11,936 units potentially affected
The defect: MANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED.
The risk: THE VALVE LINK COULD SEPARATE RESULTING IN A GEARSELECTION DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE DRIVER SELECTS. ALSO, CAR COULD BE STARTEDWITH TRANSMISSION IN GEAR ALLOWING VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNANTICIPATEDDIRECTION.
The remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE DETENT LEVER LINK.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA90041ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

Opened Aug 29, 1990
Closed Mar 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89145ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE CABLE

Opened Jul 21, 1989
Closed Sep 22, 1989

===

PARKING BRAKE
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 16
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO REAR AXLE DISCONNECTING FROM VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHTMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
894199
Incident
Aug 12, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 18, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL HAS SLIPPED OUT, CAUSING GAS PEDAL TO GET STUCK. CONSUMER HAD TO QUICKLY SHUT OFF VEHICLE, BUT ENDED UP HITTING GUARDRAIL. *AK THE ROD SLIPPED OUT OF SERVO BAIL AND LODGED ON INTAKE MANIFOLD. *YH

NHTSA ID
870787
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 18, 1998
Fire reported

ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING FIRE. OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ID
539060
Incident
Aug 18, 1998
Body & structureEngine
Filed Dec 19, 1997

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID
605693
Incident
Jan 1, 1995
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 11, 1997

THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE FRONT BENCH SEAT HAS BENT BACKWARDS.

NHTSA ID
526074
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 1997
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE FRONT GRILL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
521805
Incident
Aug 28, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Oct 22, 1996

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HOUSING IS BROKEN AND IT KEEPS JAMMING. *AK

NHTSA ID
803346
Incident
Oct 5, 1996
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 1996
Fire reported1 death reported

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, CAUSING FATALITY.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA ID
507032
Incident
Jan 6, 1996

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
1987Viewing162363.2
1986233362.8
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.