92 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
STEERINGMarch 2, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB
SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTSDecember 3, 2004
1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS- ENGINE CRADLE AND/OR FRONT SUSPENSIONS BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *LA THE CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE DECEASED CONSUMER. THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A DITCH AND BEGAN TO ROLL APPROX. THREE TIMES COMING TO A REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. *TC
Crash reported1 death(s)
NHTSA #10043188STRUCTURESeptember 17, 2004
ENGINE SUPPORT FAILED (BROKE) WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IMPOSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LEAVE ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES, CAUSING MY DAUGHTER'S DEATH. ALSO, I REPORTED THIS DEVASTATING EVENT SHORTLY AFTER IT OCCURRED AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN ANY RESPONSE FROM ANY AGENCY. *AK *JB
Crash reported1 injury(ies)1 death(s)
NHTSA #10088977ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFebruary 10, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FIRE. *PH *NM
Fire reported
NHTSA #10057815SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLMay 29, 2002
BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD.*AK
STEERINGAugust 23, 2001
CONSUME RWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAYAND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WENT OUT, AND BOLTS THAT HELD STEERING COLUMN ,FELL ONTO FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEApril 9, 2001
FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTUREFebruary 20, 2001
1.) THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SAGS AND THE HINGES ARE RUSTY. THE DOOR LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS ALREADY FALLEN OFF ONCE, I HAVE REPLACED THE HINGES. WHEN IT FELL OFF, WE WERE STOPPED, BUT IT ALMOST FELL ON MY COUSIN'S LEG. 2.) THE CAR DOES NOT START LIKE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WILL "TURN OVER" BUT WILL NOT IGNITE. IT USUALLY TAKES THREE TIMES TO START IT. 3.) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT STUTTERS AND NEARLY STALLS. I HAVE SPENT $600 GETTING A NEW IGNITION MODUEL, FUEL PUMP, PROM CHIP, MAP SENSOR, WIRE SET, FUEL FILTER. IT RAN WELL FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS AND IS NOW HAVING THE SAME INDICATIONS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.
SUSPENSIONFebruary 4, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
STRUCTUREJanuary 11, 2001
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND CAR WAS TOTALED, NO WARNING SIGNS, AN ADJUSTER CAME AND SAID THAT CRADLE BOLTS WERE CORRODED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *AK
STRUCTUREJanuary 11, 2001
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. ADJUSTER DISCOVERED THAT CRADLE BOLTS WERE CORRODED DUE TO A DEFCTIVE PRODUCT. *AK
STRUCTURENovember 30, 2000
CRADLE BOLTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 97V-058, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNovember 20, 2000
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES PEDAL IS SOFT. BRAKES DO NOT STOP VEHICLE. *AK
STRUCTUREOctober 26, 2000
CONSUMER RECIEVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL O00065-S AND TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL COULDN'T BE DONE DUE TO THE RECALL COMPONENT NOT BEING SUPPORTED BY THE FRAME HOLES AND FRAME, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER IN ORDER TO DO RECALL THE ENTIRE FRAME ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST. *SLC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSeptember 20, 2000
ENGINE SHUTDOWN/NO POWER STEERING/DANGEROUS SITUATION /ELDERLY DRIVER !! THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 50K MILES. TWO FUEL PUMPS AND ONE MODULE REPLACED SINCE 1995. THE FUEL PUMPS REPLACED IN A ONE YEAR PERIOD. *AK
TIRESAugust 20, 2000
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE @ 70MPH, WHEN THE TREAD ON MY TIRE SEPARATED. THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT OR BLOW COMPLETELY OUT. I CONTACTED THE STORE WHERE I BOUGHT THE TIRE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A TIRE DEFECT. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE, FOR I FELT WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS SURRONDING FIRESTONE TIRES, THIS MIGHT BE ANOTHER MODEL THAT IS UNSAFE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET ANY RESPONSE FROM FIRESTONE, AS I WOLD LIKE TO SUBMIT A CLAIM.( DOT NUMBER: HYJK4055 TIRE SIZE: 185-80-13 )
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMarch 31, 2000
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD JUST GO DEAD. ONCE GOING DOWN A HILL POWER WENT OUT AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. BUT CONSUMER MANGAGED TO LEVEL CAR OFF. CONSUMER HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. VEHICLE WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 26, 2000
ECM PROM HAD TO BE REPLACED 02/01/2000, AND AT THAT TIME WE WERE INFORMED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN(88-T-147B) HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR BOTH THE PART AND LABOR SINCE WE NEVER RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL BULLETIN AND THIS PART HAD NEVER PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED?*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJanuary 18, 2000
WITH LIGHT BRAKING THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP AT SPEEDS UNDER 15MPH. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, THE SECOND TIME RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. *AK
Crash reported1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #717535SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICDecember 1, 1999
THE REAR CALIPERS HAVE LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES. THEY HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BRAKES GO ON FINE, AND STOP THE CAR GREAT, BUT THEY DO NOT RELEASE ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED, AS HAS THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. ONCE THEY I LOCKED, IF I TURN OFF THE ENGING AND WAIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY RELEASE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL SHOPS, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS RESULTED IN FIRE TWICE, AND SMOKE AND TOTALLED ROTORS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
Crash reportedFire reported
NHTSA #715508SEAT BELTSOctober 29, 1999
SHOULDER HARNESS IN THE REAR WAS ADDED BY CONSUMER, HOWEVER BUCKLE FIT AT THE CHILDS CHEST AREA WHICH IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. MJS
SEAT BELTSOctober 29, 1999
SHOULDER HARNESS IN THE REAR WAS ADDED BY CONSUMER, HOWEVER BUCKLE FIT AT THE CHILDS CHEST AREA WHICH IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. MJS
SEAT BELTSOctober 29, 1999
SHOULDER HARNESS IN THE REAR WAS ADDED BY CONSUMER, HOWEVER BUCKLE FIT AT THE CHILDS CHEST AREA WHICH IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. MJS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMOctober 20, 1999
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRES UNDER THE DASHBOARD MELTING. *AK
STRUCTUREJuly 7, 1999
A PIECE OF THE CHASSIS THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE SWAY BAR BROKE OFF. ALSO, THE A-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE RIPPED AWAY FROM THE CHASSIS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJanuary 4, 1999
THE DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT SEAL HAS DETERIORATED, ALLOWING OIL TO FLOW DOWN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND COVER TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WITH OIL. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY PARENTS 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. WHEN I WENT TO MY MECHANIC, HE SHOWED ME A SERVICE FORM WHERE HE JUST FIXED A 1992 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME 2 DAYS AGO FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF YOU ALLOW OIL TO COVER THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CAR, AS WELL AS EXTERIOR ENGINE COMPONENTS, IT MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD. I PLAN ON ASKING OTHER OWNERS WITH THE 2.8 AND 3.2 LITER ENGINES IF THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU, DAN HARLETT DAN@CARCORRAL.COM. *AK
STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAINAugust 14, 1998
RECALL 97V058000, REAR CRADLE BOLTS. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED AND DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DEALER STATES VARIOUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED AND CAUSED BY THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS, INCLUDED RIGHT CV JOINT/ RIGHT FRONT END ALIGNMENT/ LOWER BALL JOINTS/WEAKSTRUTS/ RIGHT AND LEFT TIRES IN FRONT/REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE FROM MOUNT SUPPORT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
STRUCTUREAugust 11, 1998
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE A FRAME FAILED TO SUPPORT THE ENGINE. *AK
STEERINGJuly 8, 1998
CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97VO5800, MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 97016, TIE ROD END. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 17, 1998
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, CAUSING CIGARETTE LIGHTER TO BLOW FUSES.
VISIBILITYApril 17, 1998
HEATER CORE BURNED OUT.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGApril 17, 1998
TIMING BELT MISADJUSTED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 17, 1998
STARTER FAILED.
STEERINGApril 17, 1998
POWER STEERING FAILURE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDecember 5, 1997
FUEL INJECTORS LEAKED OIL. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNovember 14, 1997
BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNovember 14, 1997
THROTTLE STUCK.
UNKNOWN OR OTHERSeptember 3, 1997
DASH LIGHTS FAILED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJuly 22, 1997
THE REAR DISC BRAKES CONSTANTLY CORRODE, AND THEY DO NOT OPERATE AT ALL. *AK
STRUCTUREJune 13, 1997
LEFT FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNTING BARS FELL OFF. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKEMarch 24, 1997
EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IS INOPERATIVE. ALSO REPLACED FRONT AND REAR PADS/ROTORS/CALIPER. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFebruary 24, 1997
OWNER STATES THAT HIS BRAKES WENT OUT AND THAT IT WAS A FAULTY PLASTIC SHIELD THAT RUBBED A HOLE ON TO THE BRAKE LINE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNovember 15, 1996
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE ROLLED RIGHT OUT THE DRIVEWAY. *AK
Crash reported
NHTSA #805141SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICOctober 18, 1996
BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZED/ REPLACED. *AK
SEATSJuly 11, 1996
SEAT LATCH FAILED TO LOCK SEAT IN PLACE. *SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApril 22, 1996
REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK, WEAR FRONT BRAKES OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGApril 10, 1996
HEAD GASKET FAILED 4 TIMES. *SD
PARKING BRAKEApril 8, 1996
EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE. *SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 5, 1996
BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED. *SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 5, 1996
BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO NOISE. *SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNovember 28, 1995
HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM PROBLEMS. TT PISTONS IN CALIPERS FREEZE UP AND LEAK RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES. *SLC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICSeptember 11, 1995
CLICKING SOUND IN REAR. PEDAL FELL OFF DUE TO CORROSION. TT
SUSPENSIONSeptember 11, 1995
CLICKING SOUND IN REAR. PEDAL FELL OFF DUE TO CORROSION. TT
SUSPENSIONSeptember 6, 1995
FRONT END SHIMMING FLUID DROPPED INTO BEARING AREA AND RUINED STEERING. TT
POWER TRAINJuly 28, 1995
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. *AW
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJuly 12, 1995
BRAKES PULSATING DUE TO RUST/REAR CALIPER SLIDES FROZEN. *SD
SUSPENSIONJuly 12, 1995
REAR STRUTS REPLACED. *SD
POWER TRAINJuly 11, 1995
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO GEARS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 26, 1995
ENGINE FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJune 19, 1995
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES, PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJune 13, 1995
THE REAR DISC BRAKES HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE CALIPERS ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJune 13, 1995
BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS ARE RUSTING. *AK
WHEELSJune 1, 1995
WHEEL RIMS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, RIPPING INSIDE OF TIRE. *AW
SEAT BELTSMay 24, 1995
SEAT BELT FAILURE, BUCKLE HAS CRACKED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO LATCH THE SEAT BELT. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMay 11, 1995
EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL BRAKE FAILURE. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS. TT
PARKING BRAKEApril 20, 1995
EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApril 18, 1995
CALIPERS FROZE, CAUSING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES/LOSS OF BRAKES. *SKD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApril 11, 1995
BRAKE FAILURE. *TW
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApril 2, 1995
REAR DISC BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKES. *SKD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 23, 1995
REAR DISC BRAKES LOCKUP, REPLACE LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD/ROTOR 5 TIMES. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 21, 1995
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 20, 1995
REAR DISC BRAKES CORRODED PREMATURELY. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 16, 1995
HAD TWO BRAKE JOBS DONE ON ABS BRAKES BECAUSE OF CORRODED REAR DISC AND ROTORS. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 16, 1995
AFTER EXPERIENCING REAR BRAKE FAILURES, REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REBUILT BY CLASSIC OF FALMOUTH DEALERS. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 16, 1995
RIGHT REAR CALIPERS STICKING. *AK
SUSPENSIONMarch 16, 1995
MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING TIRES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. *AK
PARKING BRAKEMarch 16, 1995
RIGHT/REAR EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE SEIZED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 16, 1995
FRONT ROTORS RUSTY. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 16, 1995
THE REAR DISC BRAKE WAS CORRODED. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKEMarch 14, 1995
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES, RUSTED ROTORS IN THE REAR, PARKING BRAKE IS FROZEN. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 12, 1995
ROTORS CORRODED/CALIPERS FRACTURED/ LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. *SKD
SUSPENSIONMarch 12, 1995
VEHICLE VIBRATES AT 50 MPH. *SKD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMarch 12, 1995
WATER PUMP REPLACED.
EQUIPMENTMarch 12, 1995
AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED.
PARKING BRAKEMarch 10, 1995
PARKING BRAKE STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE DRAGS AND OVERHEATS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BRAKE CABLE. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 10, 1995
FRONT BRAKE CALIPER CORRODED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 10, 1995
CORRODED DISC BRAKES CAUSING LACK OF BRAKE REDUCTION WHEN APPLIED. PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DEAILS. IDENTIFY COMPONENTS REPLACED. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 6, 1995
REAR DISC BRAKE CORROSION AND ROTORS. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 2, 1995
BRAKES SQUEAK. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMarch 1, 1995
REAR DISC BRAKE CORROSION, RESULTING IN FREEZE UP, REPLACE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 23, 1995
TRAVELING NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED ENGINE STALLED DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. TT
VISIBILITYFebruary 17, 1995
WIPER SWITCH OVERHEATS/MELTS IF ICE OR DEBRIS ACCUMULATES ON WIPERS, CAUSING WIPERS TO FAIL/POOR VISIBILITY. *SKD