Oldsmobile Cutlass Reliability
2,239 NHTSA complaints (1981–1999). Complaint rate: 17912.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The 1983–1987 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 111 | 6.3% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 88 | 4.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 86 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 83 | 6.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 82 | 2.4% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 74 | 1.4% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 69 | 1.4% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 65 | 47.7% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 64 | 37.5% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 61 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | 1 | View → |
| 1983GOOD | — | 8 | 2 | 2 | View → |
| 1984GOOD | — | 24 | 1 | 3 | View → |
| 1985GOOD | — | 22 | 3 | 3 | View → |
| 1986GOOD | — | 31 | 1 | 3 | View → |
| 1987GOOD | — | 22 | 2 | 3 | View → |
| 1988 | — | 107 | 7 | 2 | View → |
| 1989 | — | 164 | 6 | 6 | View → |
| 1990 | — | 151 | 11 | — | View → |
| 1991AVOID | — | 266 | 13 | 11 | View → |
| 1992 | — | 182 | 13 | 9 | View → |
| 1993 | — | 193 | 11 | 6 | View → |
| 1994 | — | 200 | 21 | 2 | View → |
| 1995 | — | 199 | 15 | — | View → |
| 1996 | — | 160 | 14 | 5 | View → |
| 1997 | — | 161 | 9 | 1 | View → |
| 1998 | — | 223 | 8 | — | View → |
| 1999 | — | 117 | 3 | 2 | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Oldsmobile Cutlassaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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