Model year record

1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 223 owner complaints on file.

Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1997–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1997–1999 generation. MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1860,537 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1055,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system740,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Steering766,051 mi
Steering: rack and pinion715,000 mi
Suspension: front7—
Air bags: frontal671,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe555,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic530,000 mi
Suspension539,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer571,000 mi
Electrical system470,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module445,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling441,901 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights4—
Tires460,537 mi
Equipment369,000 mi
Seats369,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm3—
Air bags276,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Power train: automatic transmission236,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack2118,000 mi
Structure: body2—
Structure: body: trunk lid260,537 mi
Structure: frame and members2141,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing220,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages215,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system140,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices140,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system193,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: rear/other1145,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1118,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments160,537 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1122,083 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs199,000 mi
Suspension: rear1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—

The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 times as many 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.