Complaints
164
Crashes
6
Fires
6
Injuries
10
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#115 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
#29 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:1
#37 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Oldsmobile Cutlass Years
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 164 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc with 15 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc (15 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (9 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor (7 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass include 6 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Oldsmobile Cutlass reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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