1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Routine

Owners filed 136 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components12
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip11
201
Vehicle Speed Control7
300
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads6
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor6
102
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum5
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc5
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline5
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage95V173000
Filed Sep 15, 19952,216,325 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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."

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.

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.

Electrical System › Wiring92V066000
Filed May 11, 199233 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE. THIS ACTUATION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED.

Risk. IF THE TAILGATE RELEASE ACTUATES, THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN.UNRESTRAINED PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT AREA COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLEWHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy. REPLACE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE WITH A NEWLY REVISED MODULE TO PREVENT RANDOM ACTUATION.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission91V214000
Filed Dec 6, 199110,141 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.

Risk. IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 2, 2006106,000 milesOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WILL SHOW NEUTRAL BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE IN REVERSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 91V214000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V173000, REGARDING THE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL AND THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN DOES NOT MATCH THIS VEHICLE.

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jun 22, 2005135,000 milesMI

DT: PROBLEM BEGAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM WAS NOTICED WHILE IN MOTION. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERHEATING. THEN, LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE HORN. UPON INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A BAD SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN ,AND THE WIRES WERE FRAYED. VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE SHOP. OWNER CONTACTED GM, AND PROVIDED HER VIN, WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS.*AK

Electrical System
Filed Mar 2, 2005ME

OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1992 COMPUTER IN DASH MALFUNCTION. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING OR HOW MUCH GAS SHE HAD. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 13, 200560,000 milesDC

1992 CUTLASS SUPREME EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE HAS BEEN NO VISIBLE SIGN OF AND OIL LEAK NOR DOES THE VEHICLE SMOKE WHILE DRIVING. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jul 7, 2004130,000 milesDC

MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR OCCURANCE. WOULD NOT RE-START. AFTER 6-8 DANGEROUS MINUTES STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR STARTED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE AND WAS REPAIRED. A SHORT TIME PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF A SUDDEN POWER FAILURE AND STALLED CAR IN THE MIDST OF FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC. WHILE I REALIZE THAT 12-YEAR-OLD PARTS WILL FAIL DUE TO AGE, I WONDER IF A BACK-UP POWER SOURCE COULD NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE AT LEAST TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE CAR SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OR IS THE POSSIBILITY OF STALLING JUST A PRESUMED AND ACCEPTED HAZARD OF DRIVING? *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 8, 2004OH

BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE PER YEAR. CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO OR THREE TIMES. VEHICLE WILL NOT DO AN EMERGENCY STOP. IT TAKES A LONG DISTANCE TO STOP NORMALLY. THE ABS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MECHANICS SAY THIS IS COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Equipment › Mechanical
Filed Mar 3, 2004CA

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPOKES ON THE HUBS OR THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRES BECAUSE THE WRENCH PROVIDED FOR THE VEHICLE WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 20, 2004CA

WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT VEHICLE WENT TO THE RIGHT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED TO REPLACE THE LOWER PINION BEARING. DEALER STATED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Jan 15, 2004MI

STARTER AND ALTERNATOR GOING BAD AND JUST REPLACED BATTERY IM TRYING TO FIND IF STARTERS OR ALTERNATORS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON AN 1992 OLDS. CUTLASS SUPREME SL. *CB

Wheels
Filed Jan 15, 2004WI

THE CONTROL PANEL FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THE BRIGHTNESS CHANGES WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. THE DIMMER CONTROL HAS NO AFFECT AND THE PANEL FLASHES BRIGHTLY AT NIGHT. THE GAS TANK RELEASES FUMES WHEN IT'S FILLED AND A SUCTION PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE TANK, CAUSING AIR SQUEAKS AT THE GAS TANK CAP. THE RIMS LEAK AND THE TIRES (WHICH ARE BRAND NEW) HAVE TO BE FILLED CONSTANTLY. THE HEATER BARELY BLOWS HARD ENOUGH AND THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. AN AUTO MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HIS 92 CUTLASS SUPREME HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I DIDN'T MENTION THE CONTROL PANEL TO HIM AND HE ASKED IF MINE WAS MALFUNCTIONING LIKE HIS WAS. THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER AS WELL, AND HAS TO BE TURNED TO THE LEFT EVEN ON A STRAIGHT ROAD TO KEEP THE TIRES STRAIGHT

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 6, 2004CT

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN.*MR *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 12, 2003TX

PROBLEMS WITH FENDER SCRATCHES ON BODY, DAMAGE AXLE BOOT, MOTOR DAMAGE, SPARK PLUGS, EXHAUST, ETC...*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REPAIR SHOP DAMAGED THE VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THEIR CARE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE BATTERY EXPLODED. *PH THE RPM'S ON THE VEHICLE RACED EXTREMELY HIGH, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ALSO THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH WERE CAUSED BY THE REPAIR SHOP AS WELL AS OTHER DAMAGES INCURRED BY THEM. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 17, 2003NC

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 65MPH AND NO WARNING THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF. TS

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 28, 2002IL

THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Aug 25, 2002CT

ON LEVEL GROUND, FROM COLD START, COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER EXHIBITED RESISTANCE FROM <PARK> TO <REVERSE>. WHEN IN REVERSE, AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DID NOT ENGAGE REVERSE GEARS. WHEN IN NEUTRAL, TRANSAXLE APPEARED TO BE IN DRIVE GEAR, THOUGH AS PRECAUTION, ONLY SIMPLE USAGE OF 1ST GEAR WAS TESTED FOR TROUBLESHOOTING. ALL DRIVE GEARS OPERATE NORMALLY, THOUGH WITH SLIGHT SLIPPAGE. FLUID IS GOOD COLOR AND SMELL, MIDDLE OF HASH MARKS WHILE IDLING AFTER 20 MIN RUN. NO PROPER REVERSE EXISTS, THOUGH IF ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WITH GEAR SELECTOR IN <REVERSE> THE CAR MAY BE ROLLED AS THOUGH IN NEUTRAL. LIMITED UNDERSTANDING OF UNDERLYING MECHANICS OF TRANSAXLE, THOUGH BELIEVE THAT THIS IS HOW THE MEHCANISM SHOULD WORK. CAR HAS BEEN RUN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 20+ MIN AND WITH NEW ALTERNATOR ADDED PREVIOUS DAY, HAS MORE TORQUE THAN EVER (OLD ALTERNATOR WAS ORIGINAL). REVERSE WAS ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE ALTERNATOR CHANGE THOUGH NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCE COULD SEEM TO BE POSSIBLY RELATED, THIS IS ABLE TO AT LEAST BE ASSERTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. DAVE COLEMAN

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 10, 2002GA

SMOKE POURS OUT STEERING COLUMN EACH TIME VEHICLE IS STARTED UP. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED AFTER IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jun 6, 2002GA

SMOKE WAS POURING FROM VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS STARTED UP, MELTING THE WIRES. SWITCHS IN STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORAMTION.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jan 25, 2002IL

RETRACTOR ON PASSENGER FRONT RIGHT HAS FAILED TO OPPERATE AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 31, 2001MN

THERE IS A RECALL FOR 91 OLDS, MODELS FOR THIS COMPONET, MINE IS A 92 AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED TO 92 ALSO. MY ENGINE IS CURRENTLY SAGGING BECUASE OF A RUSTED OUT BOLT AND MOUNT. THIS IS UNEXPECTABLE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU RYAN OLSON. *AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Nov 8, 2001FL

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20 of 136 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1991
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
199980120Routine
1998155300Routine
199796310Routine
1996123150Routine
1995156400Routine
1994148520Routine
1993139560Routine
1992 — this page136470Routine
1991193880Routine
1990103600Routine

Compare every Cutlass year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 12, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.