1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The plastic fasteners on the front passenger side seat belt fell off. Driver's side the seat belt fastener cracked and was about to fall off. The seat belts were not able to be latched. Dealership did not indicate why the failure occurred, they were just quoting the replacing price of the part.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2004
“After having recall 03v527000 performed on my vehicle, I am having clicking noises every time I turn the wheel of the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2004
“When braking and driving heard a grinding noise. Vehicle was taken to be repaired, was determined that rear caliper slides were frozen and engaged the rear brakes. Rear calipers and rotors were replaced. This has happened 3 times in 2 years. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Mrs. Jones ownes a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. On march 10, 2004, I entered the driver seat of the said car to depart from home. When I engaged the ignition to start the car the air bag deployed. The defective air bag struck me in face, causing injury.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2004
“When braking heard a grinding noise. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that rear pistons were stuck and engaged the rear brakes. Rear calipers and rotors were replaced. It was not known how long the vehicle was in this condition because there was no warning of this problem besides the noise. *ak *la”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2004
“Recall 03v527000 concerning steering gear bearings failure. Consumer was authorized to take the vehicle to a chevrolet dealership to have recall repairs done. The dealer informed the consumer that a leaking rack and pinion needed to be replaced before recall work could be done. Replacement of the rack and pinion was part of the recalled problem. Dealer charged the consumer for replacing the rack and pinion. *ak the consumer requested reimbursement. The transmission cable from the gear shift lever had to be replaced *jb”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2004
“While driving vehicle pulled to the right. Consumer pulled the steering wheel to the left and the vehicle rolled over and went into a ditch. Vehicle was totaled. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2003
“The steering locked up which made it difficult to control the vehicle as well as turn corners.*ak the dealer replaced the rack and pinion assembly. *nlm”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2003
“While driving and without warning steering wheel locked up. Dealer replaced rack and pinion and right axle.*ak the vehicle was taken tot he dealer where they found the lower pinion bearing damaged, dust cap missing, power steering pump leaking, serpentine belt cracked and the right axle boot torn, which caused axle noise. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion, axle seal, replaced and resealed the power steering pump, replaced the serpentine belt and flushed the brake and power steering fluid. The lower intake manifold leaked at the left rear. The brake hose was twisted. The dealer replaced the hose. *ts *nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2003
“Consumer was injured when her vehicle crashed into a telephone pole after she experienced lower pinion bearing separation. *ph *mr”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cutlass Supreme by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The most complained-about area is steering (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 68,500 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning steering:rack and pinion. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.