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.

Other Oldsmobile Cutlass model years

All Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls by year

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.