Known Recalls

Model year record

1991 OLDSMOBILE Cutlass

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 266 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V189000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
713,435
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-11
Owners notified
2000-09-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Safety risk

IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V058000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
676,535
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-08
Owners notified
1997-06-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V173000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
2,216,325
Reported to NHTSA
1995-09-15
Owners notified
1995-10-19

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V124000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component
Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
319,181
Reported to NHTSA
1992-09-01
Owners notified
1992-09-24

Defect description

THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Safety risk

THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.

Manufacturer remedy

REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V043000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Component
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
37,030
Reported to NHTSA
1992-04-01
Owners notified
1992-04-16

Defect description

MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.

Safety risk

THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V003000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
347,866
Reported to NHTSA
1992-01-10
Owners notified
1992-01-31

Defect description

THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Safety risk

THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components16—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1680,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine15—
Structure1596,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc14—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline13—
Seat belts: front: retractor11—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor9—
Seat belts: front: anchorage860,000 mi
Vehicle speed control8200,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash6—
Seat belts6—
Seats6—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system6—
Electrical system: wiring5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5—
Unknown or other5—
Electrical system: ignition4—
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3—
Visibility: glass, side/rear3—
Visibility: power window devices and controls3—
Electrical system239,600 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2—
Steering2150,000 mi
Structure: body2—
Structure: body: door2—
Suspension: front2—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing299,132 mi
Suspension: rear2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Interior lighting1—
Parking brake1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: roof and pillars1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Tires1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 1990 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1992 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.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ97017CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

Structure

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.