1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 103 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (48% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 1997
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 tires fitting this vehicles specifications.? Are the tiger paws ii p185/75r14 installed on my vehicle counterfeit tires? Since installing these tires, the vehicle "sways" when driving on grooved interstate highway pavement. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2014
“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 the dashboard, but the problem recurred. Consume rhad this problem for 3 years.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2000
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 1999
“While driving the vehicle cross member body mount that holds the transmission and engine broke off, almost causing an accident. Cause unknown. *ak *ml”Owner report · Structure · Sep 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”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Aug 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 illuminated all the time. Other vehicles cannot determine whether the vehicle is stopping or not. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
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 OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
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 BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cutlass 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 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
NHTSA has 103 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (48% of complaints).
Does the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. 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.