Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 38 recall campaigns across the Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1981–1999. Owners have filed 1,598 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1991 drew the most (193) and the 1987 the fewest (16).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Oldsmobile Cutlass complaints by model year

1,598 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1987 · 16 complaints
  • 1985 · 18 complaints
  • 1986 · 23 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1991 · 193 complaints
  • 1995 · 156 complaints
  • 1998 · 155 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1990–1999. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Oldsmobile Cutlass owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Service brakes 51605347363720254118
Electrical system 9232221191815151618
Engine and engine cooling 73018917915153213
Air bags 0013143222695
Steering 2174744820213
Seat belts 1226153897250
Power train 3781461813743
Structure 820891047282

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls (38)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Cutlass model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Oldsmobile Cutlass
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
03V527000Dec 11, 2003GM/STEERING GEAR BEARINGS1997, 1998—
01V068000Mar 8, 2001GM/WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM1997, 1998—
00V189000Jul 11, 2000GM/CRADLE BOLTS1991—
98V306000Dec 1, 1998GM/SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE1995—
97V065000Apr 18, 1997GM/SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE1995—
97V058000Apr 8, 1997GM/REAR CRADLE BOLTS1988–1991—
97V017000Feb 11, 1997GM/WASHER/WIPER SWITCH1994, 1995—
95V173000Sep 15, 1995INTERIOR SYSTEMS:RESTRAINT:BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHM1991, 1992, 1993—
95V115000Jun 5, 1995WHEELS1988, 1989, 1990—
94V041000Mar 28, 1995WHEELS1988, 1989, 1990—
95V061000Mar 22, 1995BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC1994—
94V211000Oct 26, 1994BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC1993, 1994—
93V162000Sep 27, 1993EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL1994—
93V121000Jul 21, 1993BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC1993—
93V035000Mar 9, 1993INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEATS1993—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

199721 mpg
199821–24 mpg
199921–23 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Oldsmobile Cutlass FAQ

How many recalls has the Oldsmobile Cutlass had?

NHTSA lists 38 recall campaigns that cover at least one Oldsmobile Cutlass model year from 1981 to 1999. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Oldsmobile Cutlass year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1991 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (193) and the 1987 the fewest (16). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Oldsmobile Cutlass problems?

Across the 1990–1999 model years, owners most often name the service brakes, electrical system, engine and engine cooling in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Oldsmobile Cutlass get?

EPA rates the 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass at 21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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