RoadVitals

1993 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.
139
Latest Jan 17, 2018
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.
5
Latest Mar 12, 2007
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.
1
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.
17
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 139 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and interior & seats categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 29 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
07E021000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
DELPHIView on NHTSA.gov
95V173000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Sep 15, 1995
2,216,325 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
94V211000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Oct 26, 1994
70,676 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BRAKE LINES CAN CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTING BRACKET OF THE FRAME SIDE RAIL. THE LINES CAN WEAR THROUGH RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF HALF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM.
The risk: A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WILL CAUSE A LOSS OF ONE HALF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THE BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE INDENTATIONS WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE94063ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES

Opened Aug 12, 1994
Closed Dec 21, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 139
Heating & air conditioningSteering
Filed Jan 17, 2018

1993 CUTLASS CIERA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR CONDITIONER CONVERSION KIT UPGRADE AND POWER STEERING ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DECLINED ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE AND MILEAGE. ALSO, THE A/C CONVERSION KIT WAS NOT INSTALLED AT A GMC DEALER. *JS

NHTSA ID
11005690
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR HAS A DECAL ON THE UNDERSIDE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. A FUSE IS IN THE BOX, WHERE IT INDICATED AN AIR BAG FUSE. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER STATED GM FAILED TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS THAT SOME OF THE VEHICLES PRODUCED COULD HAVE AN ERRONEOUS DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DECAL STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. UPDATED 04/18/13

NHTSA ID
10503709
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
206,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jun 8, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED ALONG THE FITTINGS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 93V121000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES LINES, PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 6/23/2006 - THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN, TRANSMISSION PAN AND GAS TANK ALSO RUSTED. . *NM

NHTSA ID
10159343
Incident
Jun 8, 2006
Mileage
31,493 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 10, 2004

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE HIS FRIEND WAS DRIVING SHE HEARD A NOISE, GOT OUT, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BROKE. ALSO, ANOTHER CRACK STARTED ON THE A FRAME ON THE OTHER SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10091852
Incident
Sep 10, 2004
Steering
Filed Jun 12, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON JUNE 10TH, TWO DAYS AGO, I TOTALED MY 93 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME ON I-93 IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. WHILE MY YEAR (93) HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, 88 -91 WERE ALL RECALLED FOR SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR AS A RESULT OF CORROSION OF 2 BOLTS WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HIGH, INCLUDING IN MASSACHUSETTS. I HAVE BEEN COMMUTING FROM BOSTON TO HANOVER NH TO TEACH FOR THE PAST 10 WEEKS. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I STARTED WORRYING ABOUT STEERING. HAD TWO REAR TIRES REPLACED LAST WEEK AND ON THE DAY OF THE CRASH A BALL JOINT AND A TIE ROD REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT. BUT ON 93 SOUTH IN LONDONDERRY I STARTED TO MOVE INTO THE PASSING LANE, SAW A CAR THAT HAD BEEN IN MY BLIND SPOT SO SWERVED A BIT TO THE RIGHT. BUT I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN MY CAR OUT - IT JUST KEPT GOING RIGHT, THEN IT SWERVED TO THE LEFT, I CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL, BOUNCED BACKWARDS AND STOPPED HORIZONTALLY TO THE TRAFFIC BLOCKING BOTH LINES OF TRAFFIC. AT FIRST I ASSUMED I WAS AT FAULT FOR LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. THEN ON THE WAY TO THE TOW LOT, THE DRIVER ASKED ME IF A TIE ROD HAD SNAPPED. I SAID I DIDN'T KNOW BUT HAD JUST HAD ONE REPLACED. AT THE TOW YARD, HE AND A CAR DEALER (BOTH INSPECTORS) CHECKED - THE WORK I HAD DONE LOOKED FINE BUT UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL GEAR WHICH THEY SAID SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN - THEY SHOULD BE BOLTED TOGETHER. GIVEN MY DESCRIPTION OF LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE BIZARRE SKID MARKS, THEY ARE QUITE SURE THIS CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. AND NOW I'M THINKING THIS MAY HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FIRST SKID-OUT BUT I TALKED MYSELF INTO THINKING IT WAS TIRES AND RAIN AND ALIGNMENT, NOT STEERING. ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TOW GUYS MENTIONED ABOVE, I LEFT A PHONE MESSAGE WITH NHTSA BUT HAVENT HEARD. THE TOW LOT OWNER NEEDS TO KNOW IF ANY PARTS SHOULD BE SAVED BEFORE CRUSHING IT. THIS WAS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE I WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE ELSE TO EXPERIENCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075271
Incident
Jun 10, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 21, 2004

MY DIG. DASH WORK HALF THE TIME AND NOT THE REST. I CAN NOT SEE MY SPEED, GAS OR MILEAGE. ALSO EVERY NOW AND THEN SMOKE COME OUT FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10062756
Incident
Oct 7, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 10, 2003
1 injury reported

DOOR HANDLES NO LONGER WORK FROM THE OUTSIDE. CHILDREN TRYING TO OPEN THEM AFTER THEY ARE BROKEN GET THEIR FINGERS PINCHED .*AK

NHTSA ID
10038652
Incident
Jun 10, 2001
Mileage
110,000 mi
Filed Sep 3, 2003

AIR BAG SPLIT 1 1/2 INCHES. *MR THE VINYL WHICH COVERED THE AIR BAG SPLIT. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10038630

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

990730030

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT

990309004

SUSPENSION

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF GRINDING / SCRAPING / GROANING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION. *TT

98033

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID VLAVE REPLACEMENT AND CONVERTIBLE ONLY, PROM REPLACEMENT. *YC

98033

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

VOLUNTARY EMISSION CAMPAIGN INVOLVING THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT AND, CONVERTIBLE ONLY, PROM REPLACEMENT. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1993Viewing1395159.8
19921364262.0
19911938863.4
19901036464.2
19891136462.1
1988746862.5
1987162363.2
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.