*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Suspension
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…
Jul 9, 2014 · 69,600 milesElectrical systemFire
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.
Jun 17, 2014 · 170,000 milesElectrical system
THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WON'T START AND IT'S A ON GOING PROBLEM. *TR
Jan 25, 2011 · 119,000 milesElectrical system
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.
May 15, 2012 · 69,000 milesElectrical system
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
May 21, 2008 · 140,000 milesSuspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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
Jul 3, 2010 · 132,000 milesEquipment
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.
Mar 31, 2010 · 138,000 milesAir bags › Frontal
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
Oct 8, 2009
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.