Model year record

1994 OLDSMOBILE Cutlass

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 200 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V017000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
349,331
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-11
Owners notified
1997-03-06

Defect description

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V061000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
199,572
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-22
Owners notified
1995-03-23

Defect description

THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE HOSE(S) CAN CONTACT THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE(S) TO WEAR THROUGH.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE HOSE POSITION AND REPLACE THOSE HOSES IN AN INCORRECT POSITION WITH NEW HOSES AND CORRECTLY ROUTED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V211000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
70,676
Reported to NHTSA
1994-10-26
Owners notified
1994-11-25

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THE BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE INDENTATIONS WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V162000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
579
Reported to NHTSA
1993-09-27
Owners notified
1993-10-21

Defect description

THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONDUIT END FITTING WHILE ENGAGED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD BE LOST.

Safety risk

LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL MAY NOT REDUCE ENGINE SPEEDTO A LEVEL ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STOPPEDWITH THE SERVICE BRAKE, LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1862,217 mi
Air bags: frontal11127,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables9
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8
Vehicle speed control8
Engine and engine cooling: engine7
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch515,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission5
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring511 mi
Electrical system475,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4
Electrical system: horn4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Structure: body: door4
Tires4
Visibility: windshield4
Air bags3
Electrical system: ignition3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Suspension: front3
Unknown or other3
Visibility/wiper375,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring2
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: rear/other2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist2
Structure: body: roof and pillars2
Structure: frame and members2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling159,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment162,217 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting175,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Interior lighting1
Power train: axle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats1
Service brakes, electric1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections197,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Tires: sidewall1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1993 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1995 model has roughly the same number of 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.