RoadVitals

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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.
16
Latest Aug 13, 2001
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 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

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

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

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING FIRE. OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ID 539060 · filed Aug 18, 1998

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID 605693 · filed Dec 19, 1997

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 803346 · filed Oct 22, 1996

DRIVER SEAT BELT WILL NOT EXTEND SO THAT IT WILL FIT AROUND THE DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ID 987361 · filed Jul 25, 1996

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

Steering

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

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

STEERING WHEEL BOLTS ARE LOOSENING AND COMING OUT. TT

NHTSA ID 967204 · filed Jun 19, 1995

AT 30,000 MILES VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. TT CONSUMER STATES STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID 959636 · filed Feb 6, 1995

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

ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING FIRE. OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ID 539060 · filed Aug 18, 1998

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. *AK

NHTSA ID 480223 · filed Jan 20, 1995

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 13, 2001

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 18, 2000

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 526074 · filed Dec 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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID 605693 · filed Dec 19, 1997

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 .