1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 96 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (20% of complaints).
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 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Ignition failure when shutting off vehicle. Ignition stuck between acc and off position. Dashlights and radio lights stayed on steering wheel wont lock, shift lever wont lock freely moved. Unhooked battery to keep it from draining down”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass. While traveling approximately 35 mph, the driver side air bag inadvertently deployed with force and impacted the contact's face, causing limited visibility. The contact mentioned that a substance emitted in the vehicle when the air bag deployed. The contact sustained injuries to the face and neck that did not require medical attention. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 235,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2014
“Vechile recently started making groaning noise when steering and from power steering pump. Power steering pump was replace back in 2011. Took to goodyear and tech indicated pump was fine, problem point to the rack and pinion. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Anti-theft system on my 1997 olds cutlass comes on frequently and will not allow my car to start. In researching this issue I see there are literally 100's of complaints regarding this very problem. Gm should be made to fix the issue by completely replacing the defective part with one that is more stable. This problem started out only happening ever once in awhile, now it is happening daily. My only option at this point, is to disconnect the very feature that would prevent my vehicle from being stolen. Obviously, replacing the ignition or key is a short term fix as the new part also becomes defective in a very short period of time. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass. When the contact inserted the key into the ignition, the anti- theft warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The engine would not start until the light dimmed. She took the vehicle to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure or provide a sufficient remedy. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 112,000. Updated 11/19/08. *lj the consumer stated when she attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. Updated 11/19/08. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass. When the brake pedal was depressed the tail lights failed to illuminate. The mechanic stated that there was failure in the circuit. Occasionally, it took approximately five minutes before the gears engaged when attempting to shift from park to reverse. Both failures have been occurring for two months. The current mileage was 208,627 and failure mileage was 205,583. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2007
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact received recall notice for the futura 2000 radial lte tires. The remedy listed was to replace the tires in 60 days. The driver side front tire blew out. Pep boys stated that the recall expired , and she would have to pay the full price to have the tire replaced. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2007
“ABS light comes on very frequently when hitting a bump in the road or making a turn. Has done so since the car was purchased and has been in numerous times about problem, having several parts relating to ABS and brakes replaced. *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2006
“I bought a 1997 cutlass supreme from gabriel jordan of henderson texas. There is a recall on a piece of equipment. In their words: "corrective summary: 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." they have absolutely refused to replace this equipment even though it is faulty. They claim their parts are not on the vehicle. They have given me a quote of $1,300 to replace it.*jb”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2005
“Dt:the contact stated the intake manifold gasket leaked oil and antifreeze due to the type of plastic that was manufactured for this gasket. The gasket has not been repaired because the manufacturer will not assist in the cost. *ak updated 11/30/2005 - although the dealer verified the problem as requested by the manufacturer they refused refused to cover the cost of the repair. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The most complained-about area is steering (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,274 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.