1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Owner Complaints

I PURCHASED AFTERMARKET FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNIT FROM PARTS STORE :SPECTRA PREMIUM BRAND #GM30A FUEL TANK AND SP09D1H. AFTER INSTALLING THESE PARTS INTO MY CAR, I FOUND I HAD A LARGE GAS LEAK WHEN I FILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL LIKE ABOUT A GALLON WENT ON THE GROUND AND IT LEAKED AS I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP. I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK TAKEN OUT AND MY MECHANIC FOUND THE SEAL #L020 FROM SPECTRA PREMIUM, DID NOT FIT MAKING IT LEAK FUEL, INSTALLED ANOTHER NEW L020 SEAL AND BEFORE HE INSTALLED THE TANK INTO THE CAR HE DID A BENCH TEST AND IT FUEL GUSHED OUT AS IF THERE WAS NO SEAL INSTALLED, HE LOOKED AT THE OLD RUSTED TANK SEAL AND FOUND IT TO BE MUCH MORE ROBUST SO HE GOT A GM SEAL #10152293 AND INSTALLED IT AND AGAIN HE BENCH TESTED THE TANK AND NO LEAK, THE L020 SEAL THAT COMES WITH THE NEW TANK AND ONE IS INCLUDED WITH THE NEW SENDING UNIT IS AN INCORRECT FIT OR WRONG SIZE OR DIAMETER IT ALSO IS VERY FLIMSY COMPARED TO THE GM SEAL. THIS SEAL IS LISTED FOR MANY GM CARS INCLUDING MINE. I MAY NOT HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I FILLED MY FUEL TANK, A LOT OF WASTED LABOR WENT INTO HAVING TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PART, IF THIS VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, LIVES MAY HAVE BEEN LOST FROM FUEL LEAKAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED SPECTRA PREMIUM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM,NOW I AM CONTACTING YOU ALSO PLEASE HAVE THESE PARTS INSPECTED!!

NHTSA ID

11351562

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

IGNITION FAILURE WHEN SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE. IGNITION STUCK BETWEEN ACC AND OFF POSITION. DASHLIGHTS AND RADIO LIGHTS STAYED ON STEERING WHEEL WONT LOCK, SHIFT LEVER WONT LOCK FREELY MOVED. UNHOOKED BATTERY TO KEEP IT FROM DRAINING DOWN

NHTSA ID

10837733

Incident

Feb 23, 2016

Mileage

201,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01/20/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10794382

Incident

Dec 9, 1997

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH FORCE AND IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S FACE, CAUSING LIMITED VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A SUBSTANCE EMITTED IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,000.

NHTSA ID

10663341

Incident

Jun 17, 2014

Mileage

235,000 mi

VECHILE RECENTLY STARTED MAKING GROANING NOISE WHEN STEERING AND FROM POWER STEERING PUMP. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACE BACK IN 2011. TOOK TO GOODYEAR AND TECH INDICATED PUMP WAS FINE, PROBLEM POINT TO THE RACK AND PINION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10559086

Incident

Dec 27, 2013

Mileage

200,000 mi

WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2010 FROM A USED CAR DEALER. UPON 6 MONTHS OF DRIVING WE NOTICED A STEERING PROBLEM THAT WAS HARD TO THE LEFT AND JUST DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT. THE ENGINE ALSO HAD OVERHEATING AND GASKET PROBLEMS SO WE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. UPON TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEER HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE AND RAN HIM TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN BACK ANOTHER DIRECTION. UPON RETURN TO THE SHOP HE CONCLUDED THE ENTIRE RACK WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED REPLACED. AT THE TIME IN 2011 WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT GM RECALLED THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER STEERING RACK IN 2003 SO WE HAD PAID FOR A NEW RACK AND PINION TO BE REPLACED. THERE EVIDENTLY WAS LEFTOVER DEBRIS IN THE RACK IN PINION FROM THE ORIGINAL PART FAILURE AND NOW HAS RUINED THE 2ND RACK AND PINION. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IN 2004 OUR CAR IS LISTED AS A CAR THAT WAS AFFECTED AND HAD BEEN SERVICED IN 2004 IN GEORGIA. THE ONLY THING REPLACED WAS A TINY SNAP RING, IN WHICH THE DETAILED REPAIR PDF STATES IN MULTIPLE INCIDENCES THAT IT IS UP TO THE MECHANIC TO DECIDE HOW MUCH FAILURE HAS TAKEN PLACE WHAT TO DO AND THAT ANY MISTEPS WILL LEAD TO OTHER PART FAILURES!! WE BOUGHT THIS CAR W/ VERY LOW MILEAGE SO AT THE POINT THEY SAY THEY FIXED THE CAR AND WHEN IT BROKE WAS APPROX. 30,000 MILES. THEY EITHER DID NOT FIX CORRECTLY OR THEY DID NOT TOUCH THE CAR AT ALL BECAUSE THE VERY DESCRIPTION TO WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR WAS EXACTLY WHAT IS LISTED AS THE FAILURE OF THE PART. WE WOULD LIKE THE ORIGINAL PART FAILURE THAT IS NOW SHREDDED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES CAUSING FUTURE RACK AND PINION FAILURES TO BE FLUSHED CLEAN AND HONESTLY SHOULD REPLACED THE ENTIRE RACK BECAUSE THEY NEVER FIXED THE PART ORIGINALLY OR THEY DIDN'T FIX IT CORRECTLY AND THE ORIGINAL PART FAILED EXACTLY AS STATED ON THE RECALL TO THE POINT THE MECHANIC ALMOST WRECKED OUR CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10548733

Incident

Jan 25, 2011

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE ANTI- THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE LIGHT DIMMED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 11/19/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10247269

Incident

Dec 1, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON MY 1997 OLDS CUTLASS COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND WILL NOT ALLOW MY CAR TO START. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I SEE THERE ARE LITERALLY 100'S OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS VERY PROBLEM. GM SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX THE ISSUE BY COMPLETELY REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ONE THAT IS MORE STABLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OUT ONLY HAPPENING EVER ONCE IN AWHILE, NOW IT IS HAPPENING DAILY. MY ONLY OPTION AT THIS POINT, IS TO DISCONNECT THE VERY FEATURE THAT WOULD PREVENT MY VEHICLE FROM BEING STOLEN. OBVIOUSLY, REPLACING THE IGNITION OR KEY IS A SHORT TERM FIX AS THE NEW PART ALSO BECOMES DEFECTIVE IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10230750

Incident

Jun 11, 2008

Mileage

73,000 mi

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED TWICE. FIRST REPAIRED AT MONROE SERVICE ON 11-18-2005 AT 76655 MILES THE COST WAS $731.16. SECOND REPAIR WAS AT GOODYEAR GEMINI ON 12-21-2006 AT 82274MILES. THE COST WAS $642.40. BOTH FACILITIES WERE ASE CERTIFIED. I HAVE BEEN AN ASSISTANT STORE MANAGER IN THE PAST FOR BOTH PROCARE AND GOODYEAR, AND RARELY SAW A FAILURE OF AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, EXCEPT IN EARLY FORIEGN ENGINES WITH ALUMINUM BLOCKS OR ALUMINUM HEADS OR BOTH. I JUST HAD A FRONT BRAKE OVERHAUL AT MIDAS, AND THE TECH NICIAN ASKED IF I HAD HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEINTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH SET ME OFF ON THIS SEARCH. I TALKED TO THE MANAGERS AT BOTH MONROE AND GOODYEAR ,AND BOTH SAID THEY HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE GASKETS THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR. DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, AND SAW THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUT OF CANADA WAS BEING FILED. I COULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION OF BOTH REPAIRS. TALKED TO GM ABOUT IT, AND AS I EXPECTED, SAID THAT I DIDN'T BRING IT TO A GM FACILITY FOR REPAIR, AND THAT IT HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. I DID NOT CONSIDER 76665 OR 82274 AS EXCESSIVE MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR OF THE CAR OR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS DEFECT CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK OUT ONTO HOT EXTERIOR OF THE ENGINE? *AK

NHTSA ID

10187341

Incident

Nov 18, 2005

Mileage

82,274 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE IN THE CIRCUIT. OCCASIONALLY, IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE GEARS ENGAGED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. BOTH FAILURES HAVE BEEN OCCURRING FOR TWO MONTHS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 208,627 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,583. *AK

NHTSA ID

10187191

Incident

Mar 27, 2007

Mileage

205,583 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FUTURA 2000 RADIAL LTE TIRES. THE REMEDY LISTED WAS TO REPLACE THE TIRES IN 60 DAYS. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. PEP BOYS STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED , AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE FULL PRICE TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10185077

Incident

Mar 13, 2007

ABS LIGHT COMES ON VERY FREQUENTLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR MAKING A TURN. HAS DONE SO SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND HAS BEEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT PROBLEM, HAVING SEVERAL PARTS RELATING TO ABS AND BRAKES REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10170889

Incident

Oct 15, 2006

I OWN A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE FOR SOME TIME. SOMETIMES WHEN I TRY AND START THIS VEHICLE, THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK ON AND OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE STARTED FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT THE WORST OF TIMES, LIKE IN THE COLD WINTER WEATHER, AT A GAS STATION, OR IN A LOADING/UNLOADING ZONE AT A HOTEL. SOMETIMES THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND THEN I WONDER IF THE CAR WILL START WHEN I AM READY TO LEAVE AGAIN. I HAVE READ MANY STORIES ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT OTHER GM OWNERS HAVE ON THEIR VEHICLES, SO I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT A RANDOM PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS ONLY SOME PEOPLE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED ONCE ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS WILL BE A VERY EXPENSIVE OPTION IF I HAVE TO DO THAT AGAIN. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT DATE THAT THIS HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED TWICE LAST WEEK WHEN WE WERE OUT OF TOWN ON A TRIP AT THE WORST OF TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10165327

Incident

Aug 12, 2006

Mileage

98,597 mi

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET- 3100 V6 ENGINE ON GM PRODUCT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10154524

Incident

Mar 3, 2006

Mileage

129,000 mi

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED OIL AND ANTIFREEZE DUE TO THE TYPE OF PLASTIC THAT WAS MANUFACTURED FOR THIS GASKET. THE GASKET HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE COST. *AK UPDATED 11/30/2005 - ALTHOUGH THE DEALER VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AS REQUESTED BY THE MANUFACTURER THEY REFUSED REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10142877

Incident

Sep 26, 2005

Mileage

41,000 mi

I BOUGHT A 1997 CUTLASS SUPREME FROM GABRIEL JORDAN OF HENDERSON TEXAS. THERE IS A RECALL ON A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. IN THEIR WORDS: "CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668." THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS EQUIPMENT EVEN THOUGH IT IS FAULTY. THEY CLAIM THEIR PARTS ARE NOT ON THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A QUOTE OF $1,300 TO REPLACE IT.*JB

NHTSA ID

10140756

Incident

Oct 24, 2005

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEELS TURNED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT/CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, AND THE CONTROL ARM WERE EITHER BROKE OR DAMAGED. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE THE ABOVE MENTIONED COMPONENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10135435

Incident

Sep 5, 2005

GROANING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN/GEAR WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10135292

Incident

Sep 4, 2005

Mileage

107,900 mi

1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS PREMATURE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.*MR THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICEL CAME IN CONTACT SOMEHOW WITH A DRAIN WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THIS CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED HTE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER AND DAMAGE TO THE DASH.

NHTSA ID

10136676

Incident

Jan 22, 2005

Mileage

98,349 mi

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC, AND LEAKED ANTIFREEZE CONTINUOUSLY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10115725

Incident

Feb 8, 2005

Mileage

59,850 mi

ENGINE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER MADE IT HOME, AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10103537

Incident

Oct 5, 2004

Mileage

101,000 mi

THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED AND RESULTED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, A POPPING NOISE OCCURRED AND AS THE CONSUMER WAS GOING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND HIT TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10095110

Incident

Aug 24, 2004

Mileage

43,600 mi

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND TOWED IT TO REPAIR SHOP, TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SHORTED AND BURNED THE WIRE THROUGH THE COLUMN TO THE FUSE PANEL. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10081675

Incident

Jul 12, 2004

DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE STEERING GEAR BEARING RECALL 03V527000 BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10087846

Incident

Aug 10, 2004

Mileage

65,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING STEERING JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10084027

Incident

Aug 2, 2004