Model year record

1997 OLDSMOBILE Cutlass

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 161 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V068000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
129,427
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-08
Owners notified
2001-08-14

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.

Safety risk

REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: rack and pinion1276,650 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11600 mi
Electrical system873,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor6
Engine and engine cooling: engine552,400 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint5
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer571,000 mi
Air bags: frontal498,349 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4129,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4
Steering: hydraulic power assist system464,430 mi
Suspension: front: control arm4
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner371,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights3205,583 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3137,000 mi
Suspension: front3
Air bags2235,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module298,597 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys260,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe241,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint2
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering260,000 mi
Suspension2
Tires2
Unknown or other2201,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Wheels2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring117,296 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling159,850 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1137,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment: electrical1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery143,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1
Interior lighting1
Parking brake1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1205,583 mi
Power train: axle assembly1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half 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.