1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 193 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (29% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. The contact was traveling 50 mph when the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard abnormally. The brakes were engaged but the vehicle did not respond. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated to 85 mph before the contact turned the vehicle off. The contact had to wait a few minutes before restarting the vehicle as the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired for the failure. The failure and current mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 oldsmobile ciera. The contact was concerned about a recall campaign number is 95v173000, seat belts front, anchorage on his year, make and model vehicle. The, contact had not had any problems with the seat belt, but was concerned that it could fail in the event of a crash. The failure and current mileages were 60000. Updated 01/24/11 *bf updated 03.22.11”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 oldsmobile cutlass ciera. The contact took his vehicle to be inspected by a dealer because he was experiencing failure with the wheel bearings. He was informed that the motor mount was loose. The vehicle was repaired and the contact was later informed of NHTSA campaign id number 00v189000 (engine and engine cooling). His VIN was not included in the recall. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 105,632 and failure mileage was 99,132. Updated 06/09/2008. *lj”Owner report · Structure · May 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“The rear cradle bolt recall 00v189000 defect occurred while coming to a complete stop. This resulted in the subframe bending and the steering column coming apart. The dealership is going to replace the subframe and steering column. The VIN number is not included in this recall. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2005
“While driving 10 mph consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly the vehicle lost power steering. However, consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the cradle bolts and retainers needed to be replaced. *ak.....all steering was lost not just power steering. With no control, vehicle moved to the next lane. Driver had no steering, only could use brakes. Dealer bought it for $500.00 to gert vehicle off road.f this vehicle wa sgoing a thighway speed, the driver or another driver could have been killed. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2004
“Intermittently vehicle stalled while driving. Consumer pulled vehicle off the road. Consumer has to put the vehicle in neutral and restart the vehicle. Dealership inspected vehicle at consumer's expense of $ 1250. But the problem was not resolved. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004
“While driving the steering bolt became lose which caused the steering wheel to jump around. Which made it difficult for the consumer to steer the vehicle. *nlm the steering knuckle ripped out and the cradle broke causing everything under the hood to fall out. The cradle had to be replaced. *tt *jb”Owner report · Structure · May 2003
“The power window failed to roll down. *jb the new motor didn't fix the problem and has not been able to move the windows up or down. *scc”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2003
“I have replaced the door handles on both the drivers side and passenger doors. This is the 3rd time on the drivers side and the passenger side door handle broke off in my hand so I have no way to get into my vehicle at all short of breaking a window just to replace yet another door handle. Very poor design and very weak pot metal handles at 135.00 each time one is replaced (not including labor)this is getting rediculous. Dt”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2002
“The front seat belts in my vehicle have a tendency to lock up when you start to pull on the belts to put them on. My passenger side seat belt is now completely unuseable because the belt retractor has stopped working. This belt will no longer retract. Also, the guide loops for both seat belt are cracked and the guide where the seat belt goes into the driver's side door is also cracked. Dt”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
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.
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
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 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
NHTSA has 193 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. 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.