Model year record

1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls & problems

The 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 8 safety recalls and 193 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (77 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls

Complaints193filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 8reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths13 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

StructureJul 11, 2000

Structure

Recall 00V189000713,435 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Risk: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

StructureApr 8, 1997

Structure

Recall 97V058000676,535 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Seat beltsSep 15, 1995

Front › Anchorage

Recall 95V1730002,216,325 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SeatsSep 1, 1992

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 92V124000319,181 vehicles

Problem: THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Risk: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Fix: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.

VisibilityApr 1, 1992

Power window devices and controls

Recall 92V04300037,030 vehicles

Problem: MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Risk: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Fix: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

Seat beltsJan 10, 1992

Seat belts

Recall 92V003000347,866 vehicles

Problem: THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Risk: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Cutlass Calais

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Cutlass Calais

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

Cutlass Calais

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Cutlass Calais

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Cutlass Ciera

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Cutlass Supreme

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Cutlass Cruiser

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Cutlass Calais

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Cutlass Ciera

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Cutlass Supreme

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Cutlass Cruiser

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Cutlass Calais

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components	77	1	1	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	34	0	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	29	0	1	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring	25	1	6	4	—
StructureBody; Body › Door	21	2	0	0	96,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Steering wheel/handle bar	18	3	1	1	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Linkages	13	3	0	1	—
VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Power window devices and controls	9	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust	8	2	0	3	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)	7	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	7	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors; Fuel injection system	6	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Apr 24, 2011 · 200,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 95V173000, SEAT BELTS FRONT, ANCHORAGE ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE, CONTACT HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT, BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD FAIL IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF UPDATED 03.22.11
Nov 22, 2010 · 60,000 miles
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V189000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,632 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,132. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ
May 8, 2007 · 99,132 miles
Structure
THE REAR CRADLE BOLT RECALL 00V189000 DEFECT OCCURRED WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS RESULTED IN THE SUBFRAME BENDING AND THE STEERING COLUMN COMING APART. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND STEERING COLUMN. THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *JB
Jan 20, 2005 · 77,000 miles
Steering
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK.....ALL STEERING WAS LOST NOT JUST POWER STEERING. WITH NO CONTROL, VEHICLE MOVED TO THE NEXT LANE. DRIVER HAD NO STEERING, ONLY COULD USE BRAKES. DEALER BOUGHT IT FOR $500.00 TO GERT VEHICLE OFF ROAD.F THIS VEHICLE WA SGOING A THIGHWAY SPEED, THE DRIVER OR ANOTHER DRIVER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *AK
Oct 20, 2004 · 150,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $ 1250. BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Aug 23, 2004
Electrical system
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES ALREADY BECAUSE IT WILL CUT OFF WILL DRIVING, PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING USING CONSUMER AUTOMOBILE REVIEW SITES ON THE WEB. I FIND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OR ONES VERY SIMILAR PRODUCED BY GM/OLDSMOBILE. KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,700 MILES ON IT. I HAVE A 2 YEAR WARRANTY, THAT HAS YET TO BE HONORED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I AM SERIOUSLY WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF…
Jan 2, 2004 · 39,600 miles
Seat belts
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. I'M A DISABLED PERSON, AND HUSBAND HAS BEEN DEPLOYED FOR A YEAR OR MORE, AND ALSO HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD THAT I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD VISITED MY HUSBAND WHERE HE'S ON STANDBY WAITING TO GO OVER SEAS, HE HAD TO TIE MY SEATBELT IN A KNOT TO GET IT TIGHT SO IT WOULD NOT GET IN THE WAY WHILE DRIVING OR GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. IS THERE ANYWAY THAT YOUR COMPANY CAN HELP ME GET THIS FIXED. MONEY IS TIGHT AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, AND CAN'T BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…
Mar 15, 2003

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STRUCTUREClosedLed to recall 00V189000
There is no summary currently available
RP01001 · opened Nov 28, 2001 · closed Jun 13, 2002
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 00V189000
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
EA00011 · opened Apr 10, 2000 · closed Jan 12, 2001
CRADLE BOLT FAILURESOpenLed to recall 97V058000
There is no summary currently available
RQ97017 · opened Oct 2, 1997
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94063 · opened Aug 12, 1994 · closed Dec 21, 1994
SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94048 · opened Jun 21, 1994 · closed Dec 30, 1994
STICKING THROTTLEClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · opened Jun 26, 1992 · closed Jan 31, 1994
JACK FAILUREClosed
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EA91049 · opened Nov 26, 1991 · closed Oct 28, 1992
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE91072 · opened May 1, 1991 · closed Jul 8, 1991