1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

6 recalls, 151 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.

SEAT BELTS

Defect Description

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence

WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

412,792 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.

Complaint Statistics

151 total complaints 11 crashes 11 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER	17
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM	8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS	5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	4

Incident date: Feb 5, 2014

THE VEHICLE IS A 1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA SL. I CHECKED BOX AS CHEVROLET AS OLDSMOBILE IS NOT AN OPTION ON THE DROP DOWN. FOUR NEW TIRES INSTALLED BETWEEN 12/31/13 AND 1/31/14, UNIROYAL AWP II TIGER PAWS SIZE P185/75R14. MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE REPORTS THEY ?DO NOT CURRENTLY MANUFACTURE TIR... Read more

Incident date: Dec 12, 2002

NAR 1/29/2003. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2003 REGARDING THE FRONT FRAME /CRADLE BOLT RETAINERS. AS PER THE RECALL LETTER THEY WERE REPLACED. ON DEC 12, 2002 BEFORE REACHING A STOP, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE CONSUMER FELT A THUMP. WHEN THE CONSUMER INVESTIGATED, HE FOUND TH... Read more

Incident date: Aug 17, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DASHBOARD COMPONENTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS OR HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING/DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING DEFECT. MECHANIC TRIED TO PUT A BRAND NEW PART IN T... Read more

Incident date: Nov 11, 2002

HAS FAILED 3 TIME AT THE COST OF $300 EACH TIME. DT

WHILE DRIVING REAR DISC BRAKE ON ONE SIDE STICKS ON ROTOR. HAD TO REPLACE CYLINDER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK

Incident date: Mar 6, 2001

LOCKING TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS TO RELEASE AND STALLS ENGINE. *AK

Incident date: Jun 15, 2001

I TAKE GOOD CARD OF MY CAR. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD 4 OIL CHANGES, NEW TIRES AND RIMS, AN ALIGNMENT, NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. ON 04/20/2001 I HAD A OIL CHANGE AND ASKED PENSKE AUTO TO LOOK AT MY STRUTS AND SUSPENSION BECAUSE MY CAR FELT AND LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN USUALLY, AND AGAIN ABOUT 06/0... Read more

Incident date: Apr 18, 1997

VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER. HEADREST BUSTED, AND CONSUMER'S HEAD AND NECK WERE INJURED. CONSUMER FELT THAT HEADREST SHOULD NOT HAVE BUSTED. IF IT HAD NOT BUSTED, CERTAIN INJURIES WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Crash 1 injured

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS STARTING TO CRACK WHERE RESTRAINT HARNESS IS MOUNTED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF RECALL 90V054 AND WENT TO HAVE WORK DONE, HOWEVER DEALER STATED THE CRACKING WHERE SEAT BELT MOUNT IS LOCATED WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *SLC

Incident date: Feb 1, 2001

LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD STAY OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, DEALER STATED CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED THREE TIMES. THE THREE COILS AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILS TO START DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. *YH

Incident date: Feb 1, 2001

REAR CALIPERS HAVE FROZEN DUE TO DESIGN ERROR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Mar 24, 1997

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STOP LAMP FAILURE AND REQUIRED A NEW STITCH, THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL 90V-185 AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

BOLT CAME LOOSE AND 1 BROKE .HOLDING BODY TO FRAME TOGETHER. *AK

Incident date: Oct 1, 2000

CRADLE IS RUSTED DUE TO A RECALL ON THE CADLE RETAINERS AND BOLTS. *AK

Incident date: May 8, 2000

FLUIDS ALL FULL. IF ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. WHEN TURNED ON ALL OK BUT BRAKES FAIL RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING. HAS BEEN SERVICED BY BRAKE SHOP. FLUSH AND FILL OF BRAKE FLUID. NO VISABLE PROBLEMS.*AK

I WAS ON INTERNET AND FOUND A SECTION THAT HAD STATED A PAINT PEELING PROBLEM WITH OLDSMOBILES AND IT HAD STATED THAT THE GM MANUFACTURE WOULD FURNISH A FREE PAINT FOR THE CARS THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM.. THE CAR THAT I OWN IS A 1990 OLDSMOBILE CUT.SUP.IN.SED.4D. IF THIS IS A TRUE FACT COULD YOU PLEA... Read more

REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Incident date: Jul 31, 2000

WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SLID TO A STOP. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS

INTERMITTENT DIGITAL DASHBOARD FAILURE (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE). *AK

Incident date: Aug 27, 1999

I TOOK TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM THE MASTER COMPUTER WAS EVEN REPLACED WITH A GMAC REBUILD THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CHANGED. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALSO, AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES THE BRAKES OPERATE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Incident date: Oct 15, 1992

PAINT ON THE ENTIRE CAR IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS

Incident date: Aug 5, 1999

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF NO KEY, SPEEEDOMETER. ODOMETER INTERMITTENT FAILURE, REAR BRAKES FROZE AND RUSTED CAUSING FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE LININGS AND ROTORS IN 3000 MILES

Incident date: Aug 5, 1999

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF NO KEY, SPEEEDOMETER. ODOMETER INTERMITTENT FAILURE, REAR BRAKES FROZE AND RUSTED CAUSING FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE LININGS AND ROTORS IN 3000 MILES

Incident date: Aug 5, 1999

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF NO KEY, SPEEEDOMETER. ODOMETER INTERMITTENT FAILURE, REAR BRAKES FROZE AND RUSTED CAUSING FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE LININGS AND ROTORS IN 3000 MILES

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Jul 10, 1997

THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD IN THIS CAR FAILS INTERMITTANTLY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS ON STARTUP, AND SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. UPON FAILURE THE DASHOARD IS BLACK, WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THIS AUTOMOBILE. SOMETIMES THE FAILURE LASTS FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND SOMTIMES FOR HOURS. ON ONE T... Read more

Incident date: Sep 5, 1997

HAVE MORE TO REPORT ON DEFECTS: 11/8/1997 TOWED AGAIN - LOST POWER - CAR STOPPED TOOK BACK FOR RECHK OF BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, THEN ON 11/20/1997 - ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, RAN TESTS ON BATTERY BOLT, REPLACED BATTER, REPLACED ALT & REPAIRES WIRES & INSTALL CONNECTORS ($311.45), 12/2/98 STALLED AGAIN LOST P... Read more

Incident date: Sep 5, 1997

I'M SORRY - I GOT SO UPSET WHEN I STARTED FILLING THIS FORM I REFERRED TO "PONTIAC" . . . IN DESCRIPTION/ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND WHERE "PONTIAC" APPEARS SHOULD BE "OLDSMOBILE" . . .PLEASE CHANGE ON VOQ SUBMITTED - ODI NUMBER: 705733. THANK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMMARY. *AK

Incident date: Sep 5, 1997

Incident date: Sep 21, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CROSS MEMBER BODY MOUNT THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BROKE OFF, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

ECM FAILED TWICE,IGNITION MODULE FAILED, WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING LEAKING.

HEAD GASKET CRACKED,TIMING GEAR FAILED,SEALS AND GASKETS FAILED.

ECM FAILED TWICE,IGNITION MODULE FAILED, WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING LEAKING.

Incident date: Aug 24, 1998

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING , PROCEEDED TO PUT ON GAS TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION, BUT THERE WAS NO REACTION TO PUTTING ON THE GAS. THE CAR STALLED AND STAYED STILL, DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. *AK

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FREEZE UP, AND THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS CONSISTENTLY NEED RESURFACING OR REPLACING. *AK

Incident date: May 15, 1998

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONING SPORADICALLY. AT FIRST THEY WOULD STAY ON ALL THE TIME. DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH, AND AFTER THE WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. CONSUMER LIFTED THE BRAKE UP FOR A WHILE, AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR A WHILE. THEN COMPLETELY STAYED ILL... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 1997

SEAT BELTS FAILED.

Incident date: Aug 12, 1994

EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED LEAKING FUMES INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Incident date: Jan 3, 1998

THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATED AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE RACED AND IT WOULDN'T BRAKE, IT STOPPED WHEN IT HIT ANOTHER CAR. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Aug 17, 1997

INTERMITTENT STALLING. ONCE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING IT CANNOT BE RESTARTED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THEN AFTER IT SEATS FOR 5 T0 10 MINUTES, VEHICLE RESTARTS AND HAS NO PROBLEMS FOR MANY DAYS AND WEEKS. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1997

REAR DISC CALIPER SLIDES ARE RUSTING, RENDERING REAR BRAKES INOPERATIVE. *AK

Incident date: May 15, 1997

THE POWER MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON AND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES.

Incident date: Jan 20, 1995

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

1 injured

BRAKE PAD LINING SEPARATED FROM BACKING DUE TO BEING WORN OUT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

Showing 50 of 151 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1990 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 (current)	6	151
1989	6	164	View
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

1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS - All Years Overview

OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS - Year by Year

Other OLDSMOBILE Models