1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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 1990 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
- Brakes5344.5%
- Seat belts1310.9%
- Interior & seats86.7%
- Body & structure86.7%
- Engine75.9%
- Driver assistance65.0%
- Fuel system54.2%
- Electrical54.2%
- Transmission32.5%
- Exterior lighting21.7%
- Other / unspecified21.7%
- Steering21.7%
- Suspension21.7%
- Tires & wheels21.7%
- Visibility10.8%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING REAR DISC BRAKE ON ONE SIDE STICKS ON ROTOR. HAD TO REPLACE CYLINDER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK
REAR CALIPERS HAVE FROZEN DUE TO DESIGN ERROR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER. HEADREST BUSTED, AND CONSUMER'S HEAD AND NECK WERE INJURED. CONSUMER FELT THAT HEADREST SHOULD NOT HAVE BUSTED. IF IT HAD NOT BUSTED, CERTAIN INJURIES WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS STARTING TO CRACK WHERE RESTRAINT HARNESS IS MOUNTED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF RECALL 90V054 AND WENT TO HAVE WORK DONE, HOWEVER DEALER STATED THE CRACKING WHERE SEAT BELT MOUNT IS LOCATED WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *SLC
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DASHBOARD COMPONENTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS OR HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING/DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING DEFECT. MECHANIC TRIED TO PUT A BRAND NEW PART IN THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUME RHAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS.*AK
LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD STAY OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, DEALER STATED CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED THREE TIMES. THE THREE COILS AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILS TO START DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. *YH
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
NAR 1/29/2003. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2003 REGARDING THE FRONT FRAME /CRADLE BOLT RETAINERS. AS PER THE RECALL LETTER THEY WERE REPLACED. ON DEC 12, 2002 BEFORE REACHING A STOP, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE CONSUMER FELT A THUMP. WHEN THE CONSUMER INVESTIGATED, HE FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN FROM THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO STEERING CAPABILITIES. UPON GENERAL INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THE REAR FRAME/ CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS HAD SEPARATED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP AND THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER HE WAS TOLD THE RECALL FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE ONLY THE FRONT. *JB
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS STARTING TO CRACK WHERE RESTRAINT HARNESS IS MOUNTED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF RECALL 90V054 AND WENT TO HAVE WORK DONE, HOWEVER DEALER STATED THE CRACKING WHERE SEAT BELT MOUNT IS LOCATED WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *SLC
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD STAY OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, DEALER STATED CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED THREE TIMES. THE THREE COILS AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILS TO START DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. *YH
EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED LEAKING FUMES INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
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
THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATED AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE RACED AND IT WOULDN'T BRAKE, IT STOPPED WHEN IT HIT ANOTHER CAR. *AK
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING , PROCEEDED TO PUT ON GAS TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION, BUT THERE WAS NO REACTION TO PUTTING ON THE GAS. THE CAR STALLED AND STAYED STILL, DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. *AK
ENGINE BLOWS OUT OIL FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. *AK
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
LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD STAY OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, DEALER STATED CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED THREE TIMES. THE THREE COILS AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILS TO START DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. *YH
I TOOK TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM THE MASTER COMPUTER WAS EVEN REPLACED WITH A GMAC REBUILD THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CHANGED. *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
LOCKING TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS TO RELEASE AND STALLS ENGINE. *AK
TRANSMISSION LEAKS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER AND PASSGENER SEAT BELT AND REAR BACK SEAT DO NOT RETRACT. TT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, LEFT DOOR LOCK SWITCH OVERHEATS. DEFECTIVE RADIO, CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE, REAR SPEAKERS HAVE POOR CLARITY. ALARM INOPERABLE. DIMMER SWITCH MISALIGNED, TAIL LENS MISALIGNED, HIGH BEAM LAMP INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL LAMP BROKEN, CENTER BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL TRANSMITTERS INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT BLINK. TIMING COVER SEAL LEAK, OIL FITER DEFECTIVE, ENGINE STALLS, OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES, WATER PUMP FAILED, HARMONIC BALANCER CAME APART, COVER GASKET REPLACED. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK, STEERING WHEEL NOISY WHILE MAKING TURNS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: DEFECTIVE ECU, DEFECTIVE IGNITION, BATTERY FAILED, AND ALTERNATOR FAILED. GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK STICKS, LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE BROKE, BUTTON FELL OFF, HARNESS WOULD NOT RETRACT FOR LEFT OR RIGHT. DASH SEPARATED. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY. TRUNK LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER DOOR MOLDING LOOSE, DOOR TRIM LOOSE, PULL STRAP NOT SECURE. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET AND HANGER TOO CLOSE CAUSING NOISE. FUEL GAUGE READS LOW FUEL WHEN HALF TANK FULL. GRINDING BRAKES, POWER BRAKE BOOSTER BINDS, FRONT ROTOR REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID LEAK. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH AC AND HEATER. PARK BRAKE CAME APART. TIRE WEAR. SUNROOF INOPERABLE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WINDOW SWITCH DEFECTIVE. *SLC
FRONT BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT EVERY SIX WEEKS. *AW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SLID TO A STOP. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
95V115 RECALL RELATED, NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 50MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER AND PASSGENER SEAT BELT AND REAR BACK SEAT DO NOT RETRACT. TT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, LEFT DOOR LOCK SWITCH OVERHEATS. DEFECTIVE RADIO, CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE, REAR SPEAKERS HAVE POOR CLARITY. ALARM INOPERABLE. DIMMER SWITCH MISALIGNED, TAIL LENS MISALIGNED, HIGH BEAM LAMP INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL LAMP BROKEN, CENTER BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL TRANSMITTERS INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT BLINK. TIMING COVER SEAL LEAK, OIL FITER DEFECTIVE, ENGINE STALLS, OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES, WATER PUMP FAILED, HARMONIC BALANCER CAME APART, COVER GASKET REPLACED. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK, STEERING WHEEL NOISY WHILE MAKING TURNS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: DEFECTIVE ECU, DEFECTIVE IGNITION, BATTERY FAILED, AND ALTERNATOR FAILED. GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK STICKS, LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE BROKE, BUTTON FELL OFF, HARNESS WOULD NOT RETRACT FOR LEFT OR RIGHT. DASH SEPARATED. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY. TRUNK LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER DOOR MOLDING LOOSE, DOOR TRIM LOOSE, PULL STRAP NOT SECURE. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET AND HANGER TOO CLOSE CAUSING NOISE. FUEL GAUGE READS LOW FUEL WHEN HALF TANK FULL. GRINDING BRAKES, POWER BRAKE BOOSTER BINDS, FRONT ROTOR REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID LEAK. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH AC AND HEATER. PARK BRAKE CAME APART. TIRE WEAR. SUNROOF INOPERABLE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WINDOW SWITCH DEFECTIVE. *SLC
CRADDLE WASHER RUSTED CAUSES LOWER FRAME TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING RACK, CAUSED TOTAL STEERING OF VEHICLE. TT
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
I TAKE GOOD CARD OF MY CAR. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD 4 OIL CHANGES, NEW TIRES AND RIMS, AN ALIGNMENT, NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. ON 04/20/2001 I HAD A OIL CHANGE AND ASKED PENSKE AUTO TO LOOK AT MY STRUTS AND SUSPENSION BECAUSE MY CAR FELT AND LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN USUALLY, AND AGAIN ABOUT 06/05/2001. THIS TIME I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO LOOK AND HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ON 06/15/2001 I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND HAD A FEW MORE MILES TO GO BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE DECIDED TO PULL OF ON A EXIT TO CHECK A PRICE OF A PRODUCT. I SLOWED DOWN FOR A PEDESTRIAN, AND AS I GOT TO ABOUT 10 MILES A HOUR I FELT A BUMP AND LOST ALL STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH OUT WRECKING OR HITTING THE PEDESTRIAN. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND FOUND THAT THE BACK PART OF THE FRONT A FRAME HAD FALLEN AND THE MOTOR WHICH HAD PULLED THE STEERING COLUMN APART. IF I HAD NOT EXITED THE INTERSTATE BEFORE I WAS SUPPOSE TO I AM SURE I WOULD BE DEAD, ALSO I AM LUCKY I DID NOT KILL A PEDESTRIAN. I HAVE CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY RECALLED THE CARS IN 20 STATES AND MY STATE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. THEY KNOW THAT ITS PROBLEM EXISTS ON CARS 1988 TO 1990 AND EARLY 1991. OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME, CHEV LUMINA, PONTIAC GRAND PER AND BUICK REGAL. I HAVE A CASE # WITH OLDS C05115278 AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH LARRY WALDRICK AT 1-800-442-6537 HE IS TRYING TO BE HELPFUL, BUT IS GETTING NOWHERE. IF I LIVED IN IOWA THEY WOULD OF WARNED ME THAT MY CAR WAS DANGEROUS IN 1997 AND FIXED MY CAR, BUT SINCE I LIVE IN NE AND MY CAR TRIED TO KILL ME, I AM GETTING THE RUN A ROUND. OLDSMOBILE TOLD ME TO GET MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. I DID ON 08/02/2001. THEY SAY THEY WILL ONLY PAY HALF, AND TO THIS DAY 08/23/2001 HAVE NOT GOTTEN ME A WRITTEN ESTIMATE. I JUST WANT TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE IN THE OTHER 30 STATES WHO HAVE NOT BEEN WARNED OF THESE KILLER CARS.*AK
RECALL#97V058. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON 6-14, MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 6-19. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS, AND IT WILL BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THEY WILL GET THE PARTS IN. *AK.
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
THE VEHICLE IS A 1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA SL. I CHECKED BOX AS CHEVROLET AS OLDSMOBILE IS NOT AN OPTION ON THE DROP DOWN. FOUR NEW TIRES INSTALLED BETWEEN 12/31/13 AND 1/31/14, UNIROYAL AWP II TIGER PAWS SIZE P185/75R14. MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE REPORTS THEY ?DO NOT CURRENTLY MANUFACTURE TIRES FITTING THIS VEHICLES SPECIFICATIONS.? ARE THE TIGER PAWS II P185/75R14 INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE COUNTERFEIT TIRES? SINCE INSTALLING THESE TIRES, THE VEHICLE "SWAYS" WHEN DRIVING ON GROOVED INTERSTATE HIGHWAY PAVEMENT. *TR
DRIVER AND PASSGENER SEAT BELT AND REAR BACK SEAT DO NOT RETRACT. TT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, LEFT DOOR LOCK SWITCH OVERHEATS. DEFECTIVE RADIO, CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE, REAR SPEAKERS HAVE POOR CLARITY. ALARM INOPERABLE. DIMMER SWITCH MISALIGNED, TAIL LENS MISALIGNED, HIGH BEAM LAMP INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL LAMP BROKEN, CENTER BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL TRANSMITTERS INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT BLINK. TIMING COVER SEAL LEAK, OIL FITER DEFECTIVE, ENGINE STALLS, OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES, WATER PUMP FAILED, HARMONIC BALANCER CAME APART, COVER GASKET REPLACED. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK, STEERING WHEEL NOISY WHILE MAKING TURNS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: DEFECTIVE ECU, DEFECTIVE IGNITION, BATTERY FAILED, AND ALTERNATOR FAILED. GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK STICKS, LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE BROKE, BUTTON FELL OFF, HARNESS WOULD NOT RETRACT FOR LEFT OR RIGHT. DASH SEPARATED. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY. TRUNK LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER DOOR MOLDING LOOSE, DOOR TRIM LOOSE, PULL STRAP NOT SECURE. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET AND HANGER TOO CLOSE CAUSING NOISE. FUEL GAUGE READS LOW FUEL WHEN HALF TANK FULL. GRINDING BRAKES, POWER BRAKE BOOSTER BINDS, FRONT ROTOR REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID LEAK. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH AC AND HEATER. PARK BRAKE CAME APART. TIRE WEAR. SUNROOF INOPERABLE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WINDOW SWITCH DEFECTIVE. *SLC
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
DRIVER AND PASSGENER SEAT BELT AND REAR BACK SEAT DO NOT RETRACT. TT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, LEFT DOOR LOCK SWITCH OVERHEATS. DEFECTIVE RADIO, CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE, REAR SPEAKERS HAVE POOR CLARITY. ALARM INOPERABLE. DIMMER SWITCH MISALIGNED, TAIL LENS MISALIGNED, HIGH BEAM LAMP INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL LAMP BROKEN, CENTER BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL TRANSMITTERS INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT BLINK. TIMING COVER SEAL LEAK, OIL FITER DEFECTIVE, ENGINE STALLS, OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES, WATER PUMP FAILED, HARMONIC BALANCER CAME APART, COVER GASKET REPLACED. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK, STEERING WHEEL NOISY WHILE MAKING TURNS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: DEFECTIVE ECU, DEFECTIVE IGNITION, BATTERY FAILED, AND ALTERNATOR FAILED. GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK STICKS, LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE BROKE, BUTTON FELL OFF, HARNESS WOULD NOT RETRACT FOR LEFT OR RIGHT. DASH SEPARATED. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY. TRUNK LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER DOOR MOLDING LOOSE, DOOR TRIM LOOSE, PULL STRAP NOT SECURE. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET AND HANGER TOO CLOSE CAUSING NOISE. FUEL GAUGE READS LOW FUEL WHEN HALF TANK FULL. GRINDING BRAKES, POWER BRAKE BOOSTER BINDS, FRONT ROTOR REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID LEAK. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH AC AND HEATER. PARK BRAKE CAME APART. TIRE WEAR. SUNROOF INOPERABLE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WINDOW SWITCH DEFECTIVE. *SLC
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 .