Model year record

1986 OLDSMOBILE Cutlass

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 31 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V102000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,755,897
Reported to NHTSA
1989-06-16
Owners notified
1989-07-20

Defect description

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Safety risk

SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V093000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
2,223
Reported to NHTSA
1986-07-14
Owners notified
1986-09-26

Defect description

LEFT HANDED DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR PLATE MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN IN LOCK PILLAR SO THAT THE UNTHREADED SLOT OF THE PLATE ALIGNED WITH THE HOLE IN THE LOCK PILLAR. THIS RESULTED IN THE ANCHOR BOLT BEING DRIVEN INTO THE SLOT INSTEAD OF THE THREADED HOLE OF THE ANCHOR PLATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, BELT ANCHOR BOLT MAY PULL LOOSE FROM ANCHOR PLATE, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES, AND INCREASES LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A BOLT ANCHOR PLATE REINFORCEMENT AND NEW BOLT, AS NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V061000

Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk

Component
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
197
Reported to NHTSA
1986-05-13
Owners notified
1986-05-28

Defect description

AN INCORRECTLY INDEXED WIRING HARNESS MAY CAUSE THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OR PARKING LAMPS ARE ON. FMVSS 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT REQUIRES THAT THIS STOP LAMP BE LIGHTED ONLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. ALSO, THE OPERA LAMPS MAY COME ON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP PROVIDES ADDITIONAL WARNING THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING. IF THIS LAMP MALFUNCTIONS, IT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A REAR END ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

CORRECTLY INDEX WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3
Power train: automatic transmission3
Steering: rack and pinion3
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Vehicle speed control2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front1
Tires1
Tires: tread/belt1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 1985 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.