FaultScore report
Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with NHTSA between 1996 and 2005. The largest single group is the body & structure.
29
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3 complaints report a death.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 145,400 miles
0 crashes, 3 fires
Median failure at 116,000 miles
Median failure at 120,000 miles
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
STRUCTURE
STICKING THROTTLE
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
STRUCTURE
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.
Risk: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Suspension
Vehicles located in the high corrosion provinces east of the Manitoba/Ontario border. Certain vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the frame/cradle retainer bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. If both front bolts or both rear bolts pull through, the frame/cradle would not be properly supported and the intermediate steering shaft may separate from the steering gear. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers. Note: This recall superceedes TC recall 1995-010.
Suspension
On certain vehicles, cracks may develop in the wheel mounting surface, and, should the cracks become severe enough, the wheel could completely separate from the vehicle. This could adversely affect steering and braking control and result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and wheels falling within a specified date code range will be replaced.
Steering
On certain vehicles, the rear engine cradle bolts may pull through due to corrosion of the retainers. If this should occur, the cradle would no longer be supported at these mounting locations and the steering shaft may separate from the steering gear. This could result in loss of steering control. Correction: Rear cradle bolts and retainers will be replaced.
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the steel wheels may develop cracks in the wheel mounting surface and, should the cracks become severe enough, the wheel could completely separate from the vehicle. This could adversely affect steering and braking control and result in a vehicle crash. Correction: Wheels will be inspected and replaced if required.
Lights And Instruments
THE BRAKE STOPLAMP SWITCH CONTACTS MAY EITHER NOT CLOSE OR NOT OPEN RESULTING IN TWO POSSIBLE SETS OF CONDITIONS. FIRST, IF THE SWITCH CONTACTS WILL NOT CLOSE, THE BRAKE STOPLAMPS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ENGAGE. SECOND, IF THE SWITCH CONTACTS WILL NOT OPEN, THE CONTROL WILL DISENGAGE DURING BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION BUT WILL RE-ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. (NOTE: THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL REMAIN DISENGAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS SLOWED BELOW 19-23 KILOMETRES. THE DRIVER MAY ALSO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL MANUALLY AT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH). CORRECTION: AN IMPROVED STOPLAMP SWITCH WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 210 - Seatbelt Assembly Anchorages. Anchor bolt may pull through the upper anchorage plate. Correction: Nut assembly with a larger diameter flanged nut will be installed in place of the existing nut assembly.
Heater And Defroster
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 103 - Windshield Defrosting and Defogging. On vehicles with electronic comfort control air conditioning, the display on the control may not function when staring a vehicle which has been parked, with the ignition off, for a few hours. If this occurs at the same time that windshield defrosting is desired, the fan may not function. Correction: Electronic comfort control assembly will be replaced.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE SLEEPING IN VEHICLE IN AN OPEN AIR PARKING LOT WITH HEATER AND MOTOR ON CONSUMER DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING UNTIL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED RESULTING IN FIRE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #545034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE SLEEPING IN VEHICLE IN AN OPEN AIR PARKING LOT WITH HEATER AND MOTOR ON CONSUMER DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING UNTIL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED RESULTING IN FIRE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #545034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE SLEEPING IN VEHICLE IN AN OPEN AIR PARKING LOT WITH HEATER AND MOTOR ON CONSUMER DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING UNTIL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED RESULTING IN FIRE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #545034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STRUCTURE
THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF CONSUMER 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. *TS THE CRADLE FELL DROPPING THE ENGINE DUE TO CONDENSATION FORMING BETWEEN THE RUBBER MOUNTING SUPPORTS AND THE METAL FRAMEWORK. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10139894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT:CONSUMER WAS CLIMBING A HILL AT 5% GRADE FIVE MILES LONG ON FREEWAY WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN FROM OVERDRIVE TO SECOND GEAR AND LOCKED IN SECOND. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT COME OUT OF SECOND GEAR. CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AFTER THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT GO TO FIRST GEAR, SO TRYING TO PULL OUT IN SECOND GEAR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. CONSUMER SAYS TRANSMISSION WENT OUT LIKE THIS THREE TIMES. FIRST TWO TIMES ON AN UPWARD GRADE, THE THIRD TIME WAS ON A FLAT. THE FIRST TWO TIMES TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL SHOP AND HAD A USED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FROM THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER SAYS THAT OTHER GM OWNERS HAVE TOLD HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS, AND SOME PLATE IN THE VALVE BODY MELTS, WHICH CASES TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION ONTO THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10126494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
SUB FRAME BOLTS RUSTED AWAY AND PULLED THE WASHERS AND RUBBER BUSHINGS THEN THE STEERING SHAFT PULLED OUT OF THE STEERING BOX CAUSING NO STEERING. I PHONED GM IN ONTARIO JUST TO ADVISE THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS. THE LADY I WAS SPEAKING TO GOT REAL DEFENSIVE AND BELLIGERENT AND SAID IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS SHE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THEN SAID GOODBYE AND HUNG UP. THEN I FOUND OUT ON THE INTERNET BY ACCIDENT A WEB SITE FROM A GOVERNMENT AGENT LISTING THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY CAR AND THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN ON JULY 05/03 A FRIEND OF OURS TOLD US ABOUT YOUR WEB SITE AND THAT YOUR COMPANY MAY TAKE UP MY CASE BECAUSE MYSELF OR ANY OF MY FAMILY OR FRIENDS COULD HAVE DIED AND MAYBE KILLED OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER WHEN I WAS ON THE HIWAY AT 80 KM/HR. I JUST WANTED GM TO LET OTHER OWNERS KNOW SO THEY COULD GET IT FIXED BEFORE ANYTHING FATAL HAPPENED BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM INTERESTED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS WEB SITE AND FOR LISTENING TO MY SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10071360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT FLAKING ON HOOD AND ROOF OF VEHICLE. JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE. SPOKE WITH GM SERVICE MANAGER WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST GM CONCERNING DEFECTIVE PAINT ON THEIR VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10068961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THIS WAS PERFORMED REGARDING THE CRADLE BOLTS ON 10/24/02. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR AN ALIGNMENT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS ROTTED AND CORRODED. *JB...
NHTSA complaint #10014792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
LOST STEERING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT T ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS HAD DISCONNECTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER PER SAFETY RECALL 00V189 FOR REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AND REAR CRADLE BOLT RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE QUARTER FRAME WAS ALSO DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AWAY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT NO COST.
NHTSA complaint #785868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER PER SAFETY RECALL 00V189 FOR REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AND REAR CRADLE BOLT RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE QUARTER FRAME WAS ALSO DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AWAY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT NO COST.
NHTSA complaint #785868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WAS DRIVING 30MPH AND IT BECAME HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF STEERING. MANAGED TO GET TO A DEALER & WAS INFORMED THAT SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED. THIS CAUSED ENGINE & STEERING RACK TO DROP.
NHTSA complaint #877464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE MAKING A TURN. PROBLEM ALSO AFFECTED CONTROL OF INSTRUMENTS PANEL. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #873086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE ACCELERATING FOM A STOP, BOTH FRONT CRADLE BOLTS SEPERATED FROM THE CHASSIS. CRADLE ASSEMBLY DROPPED ABOUT EIGHT INCHES. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO DEALER. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES, ENGINE COULD NOT BE RE-STARTED UNLESS JUMPED. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS "DEAD". OWNER SUSPECTS DAMAGED OR BROKEN WIRING (I.E. GROUND WIRE) AS A RESULT OF EITHER THE INCIDENT OR THE REPAIR. REPAIRS FOR THIS CONDITION HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AS OF THIS DATE .
NHTSA complaint #728765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH WHEN I HEARD A THUMP AND MY CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK TO THE LEFT BUT THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED AND THE DID NOT SO I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON AND AVOIDED A MAIL BOX AND ANY BODY DAMAGE TOTHE CAR AND THE PASSENGER AND MYSELF. THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND THE FRAME WAS ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. THE BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRAME NEED REPLACED AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE NEEDS REPLACED AT THIS POINT. THE MECHANIC I HAVE WORKING ON IT SAID THE FOUR MOUNTING BOLTS ON THE FRAME WERE CORRODED AND CAME OFF. I WAS VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I AM VERY CURIOUS IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #722079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH WHEN I HEARD A THUMP AND MY CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK TO THE LEFT BUT THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED AND THE DID NOT SO I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON AND AVOIDED A MAIL BOX AND ANY BODY DAMAGE TOTHE CAR AND THE PASSENGER AND MYSELF. THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND THE FRAME WAS ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. THE BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRAME NEED REPLACED AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE NEEDS REPLACED AT THIS POINT. THE MECHANIC I HAVE WORKING ON IT SAID THE FOUR MOUNTING BOLTS ON THE FRAME WERE CORRODED AND CAME OFF. I WAS VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I AM VERY CURIOUS IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #722079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD GIVES OFF A DISTORTED VIEW WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER AT NIGHT & DURING THE DAY. WHENEVER HEADLIGHTS ARE SHOWN AGAINST WINDSHIELD, UNABLE TO DETECT LINES IN ROAD. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALERSHIP BUT WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO HAVE WINDSHIELD CHECKED OUT.AK
NHTSA complaint #853603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
READ INFORMATION IN PAPER REGARDING FUEL TANK BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE BUMPER & COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET BURNED OR A FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER & WAS INFORMED NO REMEDY AVAILABLE TO CORRECT FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint #846765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE SLEEPING IN VEHICLE IN AN OPEN AIR PARKING LOT WITH HEATER AND MOTOR ON CONSUMER DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING UNTIL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED RESULTING IN FIRE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #545034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS WHICH DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR.
NHTSA complaint #838245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE SLEEPING IN VEHICLE IN AN OPEN AIR PARKING LOT WITH HEATER AND MOTOR ON CONSUMER DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING UNTIL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED RESULTING IN FIRE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #545034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE SLEEPING IN VEHICLE IN AN OPEN AIR PARKING LOT WITH HEATER AND MOTOR ON CONSUMER DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISIONING, MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING UNTIL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED RESULTING IN FIRE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #545034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING FRONT CRADLE BOLTS SNAPPED,CAUSING FRONT END TO DROP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #824785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN FRONT CRADLE BOLTS FELL OFF, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FALL ONTO DRIVETRAIN, DISLODGING STEERING. TOTALLY DISABLED, NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER SAID CRADLE BOLTS HAD RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #820777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR DISC BRAKE MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO LEAK BRAKE FLUID . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEAS PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #832960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR DISC BRAKE MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO LEAK BRAKE FLUID . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEAS PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #832960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
STRUT MOUNT & PLATE BROKE. BRAKES, CALIPERS, PADS, ROTORS, AND STRUTS WERE DESTROYED BY THIS OCCURRENCE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MECHANIC MANUAL SAID THAT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE DAILY TO MAKE THE CALIPERS FUNCTIONAL WAS A NECESSITY, OWNER UNAWARE OF THIS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #829983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CRANK MODULE, CRANK SENSOR COOLANT LINE MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #541567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.