1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

6 recalls, 164 complaints - 3 TSBs

STRUCTURE

Defect Description

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 BOL... Read more

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

676,535 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

WHEELS

Defect Description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

22,361 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

WHEELS

Defect Description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

198,163 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Defect Description

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE... Read more

Consequence

A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

476,422 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

SEAT BELTS

Defect Description

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence

SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

673,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Defect Description

THE ELECTRONIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN STARTING CAR THAT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS WITH IGNITION OFF.

Consequence

WINDSHIELD MAY NOT DEFROST AND CAR WOULD NOT CONFORMWITH FMVSS 103.

Remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC COMFORT CONTROL ASSEMBLY.

5,459 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

164 total complaints 6 crashes 6 fires 10 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR	7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER	6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM	5

Incident date: Apr 1, 2014

1989 CUTLASS CALIAS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHILE TRAVELING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND HIT A MEDIAN. THE CONSUMER WASN'T DRIVING VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 27, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ONCE HE LEFT THE MECHANIC, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE IS PLANNING TO RETURN TO THE STATE CERT... Read more

Incident date: Apr 25, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S RESIDENCE. *AK THE LIGHT DEVICE FLASHED RED/GREEN BEFORE GOING DEAD ON A STEEP HILL AND OR DANGEROUS CURVE. THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE BRAKES ... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Oct 13, 1999

LTR FM SEBASTIAN SCOLLO (CT) REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BRAKE REPAIRS ON HIS 1989 GM OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME.*MR CONSUMER IS ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BRAKE REPAIRS.*TS *JB

Incident date: Aug 11, 2003

WHEN DRIVING 70MPH A FIRE STARTED IN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jul 5, 2002

REAR BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AKTHIS DEFECT HAPPENS ONCE EVERY YEAR. *JG

Crash

Incident date: Jun 19, 2002

RIGHT SIDE OF SUBFRAME DROPPED WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER HEARD A THUMPING NOISE, ASSUMING A TIRE HAD GONE FLAT, PULLED OVER TO CHECK BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, FIGHTING TO KEEP VEHICLE IN CONTROL, CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET OVER, FINDING THE WHEEL, TIRE AND LUG NUTS HAD COME COMPLETELY O... Read more

PRIOR TO RECALL (97V-058) WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE FRAME CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. *YH

Incident date: Apr 8, 2002

NHTSA RECALL 00 V 189 000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00065-S/CRABLE BOLTS: DEALER: KING OROURKE CADILLAC OLDSMOBILE; LYNBROOK,NY; PHONE# 516/593-6420 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE STRUCTURE AROUND CRADLE BOLTS HAVE SEVERELY RUSTED OUT. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THAT STRUCTURE BEFOR... Read more

PRIOR TO RECALL (97V-058) WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE FRAME CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. *YH

Incident date: Oct 4, 2001

RECALL WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. REPAIRS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER DEALERSHIP DISTRICT MANAGER REFUSES TO REPAIR CAR. CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY TRIED TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. MANAGER IS STATING THAT YES THE RECALL STATES THAT THE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE FRAME BUT SAYS THAT THE F... Read more

Incident date: Sep 6, 2001

CARRY 35 LBS. PRESSURE, TIRE HAD SLOW LEAK, TOOK TO DEALER, LEAK IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE, HAD NEVER RAN TIRE LOW, WAS ON RIGHT REAR, SO DID NOT HIT CURB OR ANYTHING ELSE IN ROAD. TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: AMN509 TIRESIZE: 18575R14)

Incident date: May 29, 2001

LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE, P185/75R14 M+S, EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL, CONSUMER PAID FULL PRICE FOR ANOTHER REPLACEMENT TIRE. *ET

Incident date: Feb 1, 2001

THE FUEL SYSTEM/TANK FAILED RESULTING IN FIRE, CAUSING SEVERAL INJURIES. NLM

Fire 5 injured

Incident date: Jun 14, 2001

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 25MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS. POPPED HOOD, AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. *AK CONSUMER STATES STEERING COLUMN IS THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED. *SLC

Fire

Incident date: Jun 14, 2001

Fire

Incident date: Aug 8, 1999

CRADLE BOLTS ROTTED OUT AND MOTOR DROPPED TO THE GROUND, LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING, DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, VEHICLE RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM (00V-189), OWNER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. CJ

Incident date: Jan 6, 1996

ACCIDENTAL FIRE IN PARKED RUNNING CAR IN OUTSIDE LOT, TOXIC FIRE CAUSED CARBON MONOXIDE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM ENGINE, OCCUPANT AQUIRED BURNS ON 27% OF HIS BODY (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT, CLIENT DECEASED).

Fire 1 deaths

Incident date: Jun 1, 1997

APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO, ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD BEGAN FLASHING, SOMETIMES GOING TOTALLY BLACK, WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE SPEED, AMOUNT OF GAS, MILEAGE, ETC. *CJ

Incident date: May 11, 1999

BRAKE PAD AND ROTORS RESURFACED, THE REAR BRAKES WERE JUST REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. *CJ

Incident date: Nov 8, 2000

HAD RECEIVED RECALL 00V189000/ ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS & CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND TOOK VEHICLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. LATER IN THE DAY, PROBLEM WITH CRADLE BOLTS REAPPEARED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT CRADLE BOLTS WOULD BE REPAIRED, BUT NOT RESPONSIBLE... Read more

DUE TO INFORMATION HEARD ABOUT TIRES CONSUMER WAS CHECKING THEM & NOTICED ALL 4 TIRES HAD CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. 2 FRONT TIRES HAD CRACKS ON INSIDE OF THE TREAD.*AK

ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING...SEVERAL TIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS...LOOSES STEERING, BRAKES...SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS. DEALERS & REPAIR SHOPS CAN NEVER DUPLICATE OR IDENTIFY A PROBLEM

Incident date: Apr 1, 1998

WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF IT MAY NOT START AGAIN LIKE THE BATTERY HAS NO CHARGE, THE HEATER COIL MODULE HAVE BEEN CHANGED BUT STILL SEEMS TO HAPPEN. *ET

Incident date: Dec 3, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

THE FIRESTONE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES, THE TIRE PEELED OFF TREAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OFF THE ROAD, INJURY TO CONSUMER. *MJS

1 injured

Incident date: Sep 14, 2000

FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN STEERING SHAFT DISENGAGED. *AK

Incident date: Sep 14, 2000

FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN STEERING SHAFT DISENGAGED. *AK

Incident date: May 30, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30MPH HEARD A SNAP AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO STEERING FAILURE. IT WAS HARD TO VEER ACROSS THREE LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE HITTING A CURB. AT THAT TIME CAR STOPPED. CONSUMER SAID WASHER DETERIORATED. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Jan 3, 2000

DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE LINE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, CLAMP HAS RUBBED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

Incident date: Jan 10, 2000

BRAKES STOPSSOMETIMES. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE PEDALS GOES TO THE FLOOR AND BOUNCES BACK UP. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP, A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP, ALSO, FRONT CALIPERS WORK , AND REAR CALIPERS ARE INOPERATIVE ,CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 29, 1999

BRAKE ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES SEPARATED FROM THEMSELVES AT THE THINNEST PART OF THE CASTING. EACH SIDE FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES BUT BRAKING WAS SEVERELY AFFECTED. *AK

Incident date: Oct 5, 1999

NO SUMMARY

Incident date: Jul 13, 1998

A VEHICLE COLLISION CAUSED CONSUMERTO LOSE THREE TIPS ON FINGERS. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE DASHBOARD, CONSUMER'S HAND WENT OVER AND THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 15, 1997

WHILE DRIVING ALONG TA ROAD THE DASHBOARD WILL GO OUT COMPLETELY, CAUSING LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER/FUEL INDICATOR, AND ODOMETER.CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

Incident date: Apr 1, 1997

WHILE DRIVING AT TEN MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT FLIPPED THE CUTLASS ON ITS SIDE, CAUSING THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT TO RELEASE ON IMPACT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Crash 3 injured

Incident date: Jun 14, 1999

NO SUMMARY

Incident date: Apr 1, 1998

ENGINE FAILED. YH

Incident date: Apr 1, 1998

HEATER COIL MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER DID NOT RECTIFY PROBLEM,POSSIBLE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. YH

Incident date: May 7, 1999

THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HESITATES, MISFIRES,AND TODAY IT BACKFIRED FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CAR YOU CAN SMELL A THE FUEL OUT OF THE EXHAUST . THIS PROBLEM IS NOT INTERMITTENT IT IS CONSTANT AND I FEEL IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS ON THIS CAR . I WENT TO AN OLDMOBILE DEALERS... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 1999

Showing 50 of 164 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

3 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
036400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT	2
021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT	1

036400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. *TW

021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

REAR STRUT RELATED THUMPING/SQUEAKING NOISE. *TW

036400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS WIRE HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL MAY RUB ON THE BRAKE LINE CAUSING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1998

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1998

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

There is no summary currently available

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1983

CUTLASS SUPREME BRAKE LOCKUP

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1984

84 OLDS BRAKE LOCKUP

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1984

PULLING TO LEFT AND VIBRATING STEERING W

PULLING TO LEFT AND VIBRATING STEERING WHEEL WHILE STOPPING

OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS across all model years (1967, 1999).

101 Total Recalls

2,253 Total Complaints

5 Investigations

142 Reported Crashes

59 Reported Fires

7 Reported Deaths

OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
1999	1	117	View
1998	3	223	View
1997	3	161	View
1996	1	160	View
1995	4	199	View
1994	5	200	View
1993	5	193	View
1992	4	182	View
1991	8	266	View
1990	6	151	View
1989 (current)	6	164
1988	6	107	View
1987	2	22	View
1986	3	31	View
1985	3	22	View
1984	2	24	View
1983	2	8	View
1982	2	1	View
1981	2	8	View
1980	5	3	View
1979	8	2	View
1978	6	0	View
1977	2	4	View
1976	2	3	View
1975	4	0	View
1974	3	0	View
1973	2	0	View
1967	1	0	View

Other OLDSMOBILE Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
SILHOUETTE	77	1,287	View
88	46	1,228	View
BRAVADA	46	1,350	View
98	41	417	View
OMEGA	36	5	View
INTRIGUE	32	1,608	View
TORONADO	27	45	View
ALERO	21	2,936	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS - All Years Overview

OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS - Year by Year

Other OLDSMOBILE Models