1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Routine

Owners filed 80 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires › tread/belt. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
66,000 milesMedian miles at failure

30 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires › Tread/Belt10
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor7
000
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs5
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module4
000
Electrical System4
010
Tires3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000
Air Bags › Frontal3
111

1 safety recall

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Jul 10, 201469,600 milesMN

WHILE DRIVING MY FIANCES OLDSMOBILE, I NOTICED A BAD SHUDDER UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING. UPON INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT HAD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY HAD BEEN SO BADLY COMPROMISED I AM SURE THAT HAD I NEEDED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY THE CONTROL ARM WOULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING THE RIGHT WHEEL TO COME OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO FLEX PART OF THE CONTROL ARM BY HAND UPON REMOVAL FROM THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A VERY EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DECAY ON SUCH A CRITICAL PART ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTY, BUT IT SEEMED STRUCTURALLY SOUND. THIS LEADS ME TO SUSPECT THE LEFT ONE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AND THAT THERE COULD BE MORE DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS OUT THERE. I REPLACED THE CONTROL ARM BUT KEPT THE OLD ONE IN CASE GM OR THE NHTSA WISHES IT TO BE SHIPPED TO THEM FOR ANALYSIS. I ALSO HAVE DETAILED PICTURES OF THE PART TO PROVIDE UPON REQUEST. I LIVE IN MN WHICH IS A STATE WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 1, 2014170,000 milesWY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER THEN NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 1, 2012119,000 milesMI

THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WON'T START AND IT'S A ON GOING PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 26, 201269,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 8, 2012140,000 milesSC

I HAVE 99 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS WHICH ONLY ISSUE I EVER HAD IS FAULTY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH GMC OR OLDSMOBILE OR CHEVY ANYTHING WITH ANTITHEFT SYSTEM USE RIGHT KEY AND THE LIGHT COMES ON YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10-15 MIN THEN IT STARTS HOW CAN A COMPANY NOT EVER HAVE RECALL I CAN UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS FEW CARS BUT YEAR AFTER YEAR ALL TYPES OF THERE CARS HAVE ISSUES WITH ANTI THEFT IF YOU CANT FIX YOUR OWN PROBLEM GET OUT OF CAR MAKING BUSINESS I WONDER IF THERE BEEN A LAWSUIT EVER FILE CAUSE I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING FOR US PEOPLE. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jul 8, 2010132,000 milesMI

THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE BLOWING OUT THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, AND IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 25 MPH AND ON A SIDE STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A MAIN ROAD THERE VERY WELL MAY HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I AM NOT SURE AS TO HOW MANY RECENT REPORTS THERE HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS ISSUE BUT I SEE THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SPRINGS BREAKING ON 1999 CHEVY MALIBU'S IN THE PAST. AND I FEEL THIS IS AN UNCALLED FOR SAFETY DEFECT. WHILE MY CAR IS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS IT'S AN EXACT TWIN TO THE CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

Equipment
Filed Mar 31, 2010138,000 milesAL

IN THE 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS; IT HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITION AND HEAT CONTROL UNIT. WHILE DRIVING, AT ANYTIME, THE CONROL CAN SHUT-OFF THE DEFROSTER (WHEN IN USE) AND CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD AND DOOR WINDOWS TO FOG UP; THUS CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. MY A/C AND HEAT CONTROL UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED TODAY THAT IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THE A/C COMPRESSOR ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE INTERMITTALLY; BECAUSE OF THE CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE OWNER OF A 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND FOUND THAT THE SAME CONTROL UNIT OUTFITTED, IN HER VEHICLE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Oct 12, 2009OH

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PAVED COUNTY ROAD, AND WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING OR ANY ACCIDENT, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED ON MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THERE WAS A DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN BOTH FRONT SEATS. WE WERE BANGED UP SOME, BUT DIDN'T FEEL THERE AS ANYTHING WORTH GOING TO DR'S. *TR

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Apr 20, 200954,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $800 BECAUSE THE HORN AND AIR BAG ASSEMBLY WERE CONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Structure
Filed Apr 3, 200951,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT WAS CHIPPING ON THE VEHICLE DOWN TO THE METAL. THE CHIPPING WAS PRESENT ON ALL SURFACES OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY THE HOOD. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CLEAR COAT WAS RUBBING OFF AND THE FAILURE WAS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Feb 11, 2008MI

CAR WONT START ANTI THEFT (DTC) IS ON WONT DISENGAGE NOTHING WAS CHANGED OR DONE TO THE CAR LIGHT FLASHED A COUPLE OF TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 1, 200774,000 milesHI

1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT DEFECTIVE. (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327 & NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ04005.) GM WILL NOT HONOR THIS RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID MY VEHICLE HAS A "BRANDED" TITLE. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrashFire1 injured
Filed Dec 19, 2005CA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE HIT A SIGN AND A BRICK WALL. IT WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 1, 200548,000 milesPA

WATER LEVEL LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON EVERY FEW WEEKS - LEAKING HEAD GASKET. COOLANT CONTAMINATED THE OIL. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jul 15, 200566,000 milesTX

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FLASHES AND CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL IT SET FOR A WHILE (USUALLY 20 MIMUTES). THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL LEADING TO POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENT AND INJURY. THEIR IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE OLDSMOBLE DEALERSHIP.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 4, 200557,000 milesCT

ENGINE OVERHEATING -- COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. INTAKE MAINFOLD GASKET SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILING AT AROUND 57,000 MILES FAILED COMPLETELY AT 59,000 MILES. DID SOME RESEARCH ON INTERNET AND FOUND DOZENS OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.1 LITER V-6 ENGINE IN THIS AND SIMILAR GM MODELS. CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A 50/50 ON THE COST OF REPAIR.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 30, 200541,534 milesNY

ON APRIL 26,2005 WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK THE SPRING WAS REPLACED, FRONT END ALIGNED AND THE TIRE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS WITH APX. 42000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL AUTOMOBILE. THANK YOU, HAROLD OLIVER

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 22, 2005112,689 milesWI

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE I HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE AND FELT THE CAR BOUNCE. THINKING THAT IS WAS JUST THE ICE RIDGES IN THE DRIVE WAY I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE CAR. I DROVE ONLY A FEW BLOCKS WHEN I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING SO I RETURNED HOME AND PARKED THE CAR UNTIL MY HUSBAND RETURNED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR MECHANIC WERE HE REPLACED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND THE FRONT TIRE BECAUSE THE BROKEN COIL SPRING LEFT A DEEP GASH IN IT.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jan 7, 200581,000 milesKY

THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY OVERRIDES THE SYSTEM AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. IS HAS NOT YET CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY BUT IT DOES POSE A THREAT TO DO SO. I HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH SEVERAL OTHER OWERS OF THE SAME TYPE/DIVISION(CUTLASS AND MALIBU) OF VEHICLE AND THEY ALL REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LOCAL GM DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE BUT SO MANY IN THE SAME AREA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM?. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Nov 20, 200498,500 milesOK

1. CAR RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE. 2. ONE DAY, CAR WOULDN'T START AND THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS FLASHING. 3. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND A BUNCH OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT SAID TO WAIT 1/2 HOUR AND THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN. SO WE WAIT, AND IT STARTS. THIS IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. WE RELY HEAVILY ON THIS CAR.*AK

20 of 80 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1991
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
1999 — this page80120Routine
1998155300Routine
199796310Routine
1996123150Routine
1995156400Routine
1994148520Routine
1993139560Routine
1992136470Routine
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.