Owners have filed 199 complaints
about the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Oldsmobile Cutlass. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 78
15.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 12
7% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1995 compares with every other Oldsmobile Cutlass
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
17.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
214.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
428.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
428.6%
150,000+ miles
321.4%
When owners complained
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.
Jan 1995peak 9Mar 2014
Recalls on the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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.
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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
98V306000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
97V065000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT CAN OCCUR.
97V017000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 168,000 milesMitchell, SDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND WAS CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 2/9/12
NHTSA complaint #10406158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,496 milesParkersburg, WV1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10340737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesHartford, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW MONTHS AGO AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING, BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOW I AM AFRAID IT WILL DEPLOY WHILE I'M DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10228142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellwood City, PA1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT THE DRIVER ON THE RIGHT ARM. *MC THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER COULD NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10194436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBatavia, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. GRAND DAUGHTER HAD TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT DID NOT START VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 27,2005. CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET DEALER, AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL AND TO NOTIFY OLDSMOBILE. CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE, AND THEY SAID TO NOTIFIY GM, DID THAT, AND THEY SENT OUT A INVESTIGATOR LAST THURSDAY. THEN, RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM TO GIVE THE SAME INFORMATION THAT CONSUMER ALREADY GAVE 5 OR 6 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10129478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT AT 35MPH ON FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8019107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 62,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN SEPT. 2013, REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND LINE WITH THE DRIVEWORKS BRAND FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. ON 3/2/14, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WE SMELLED GAS. THE SNAP ON CONNECTION HAD POPPED LOOSE AT THE GAS TANK AND WAS SPEWING GASOLINE WHEN WE TRIED TO START THE CAR. ON 3/6/14, THE LINE POPPED LOOSE AGAIN WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. I PUSHED IT BACK ON AND WENT ON MY WAY. LATER THAT DAY AS I WAS GOING TO RETURN HOME, THE LINE POPPED LOOSE AGAIN, AND AGAIN AT THE STOP SIGN, AND AGAIN AS I TRIED TO BACK UP TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD; A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES UNTIL IT WOULD NOT EVEN STAY ON WHILE TRYING TO START THE CAR; EACH TIME SPEWING GASOLINE. HAD TO BUY A REPLACEMENT FUEL LINE (AGAIN DRIVEWORKS BRAND) AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. NOW I AM FEELING LEERY OF THIS BRAND OF LINE AND CONNECTOR, SO WENT TO AUTO PARTS AND BOUGHT DORMAN BRAND CONNECTOR INSERTS IN CASE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, AND THE EMPLOYEE AT THE PARTS STORE SAID THAT THESE PARTS DO NOT LAST AND WEAR OUT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS AS WHEN THE LINE COMES LOOSE, GAS SPEWS, THE CAR DIES, AND YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING, ETC. ALL WHILE ON THE ROAD. I WAS GRATEFUL THAT I WAS NOT ON A MAJOR ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10572982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesMitchell, SDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND WAS CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 2/9/12
NHTSA complaint #10406158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,582 milesRidgefield Park, NJ
POWER TRAIN
WHEN CAR STARTS UP, RACES FAST, RUFF SHIFTS INTO GEAR, CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK, AND BLINKER IS DIM WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON.
NHTSA complaint #10371232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,582 milesRidgefield Park, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN CAR STARTS UP, RACES FAST, RUFF SHIFTS INTO GEAR, CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK, AND BLINKER IS DIM WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON.
NHTSA complaint #10371232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,582 milesRidgefield Park, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN CAR STARTS UP, RACES FAST, RUFF SHIFTS INTO GEAR, CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK, AND BLINKER IS DIM WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON.
NHTSA complaint #10371232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,496 milesParkersburg, WV1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10340737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesHartford, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW MONTHS AGO AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING, BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOW I AM AFRAID IT WILL DEPLOY WHILE I'M DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10228142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellwood City, PA1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT THE DRIVER ON THE RIGHT ARM. *MC THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER COULD NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10194436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,200 milesPhiladelphia, NY
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A ROAD WITH NO NOTICE AND NO INCIDENT LEADING TO THE FOREMENTIONED DEPLOYMENT. STUNNED AND CONFUSED-DRIVER COULD NOT SEE AND APPLIED BRAKES AND TURNED STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10156648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 47,000 MILES. *TS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO LEAKS FROM THE SYSTEM. *NM UPDATED 03/09/06.
NHTSA complaint #10146408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,500 milesGulf Breeze, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STARTED ENGINE NORMALLY, BEGAN FORWARD MOVEMENT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXCEEDINGLY HARD, PUSHED TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND ENGINE REVOLUTIONS IMMEDIATELY WENT TO 4600 RPM. COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF ENGINE SPEED AND/OR BRAKE FUNCTION. THIS FAILURE MODE LEADS TO VERY DANGEROUS OUT OF CONTROL CONDITION. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHEN THIS 'FAIL DANGEROUS' MODE IS PERMITTED.
NHTSA complaint #10141973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,151 milesPainesville, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
INTERMITTENT SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL, HEADLIGHTS HIGH-BEAM STUCK ON, TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. REPEATEDLY MOVING HEADLIGHT DIMMER-LEVER SEEMED TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT PROBLEM. NOW UNABLE TO GET ANY HIGH-BEAMS, SMOKE COMES AND GOES, TURN-SIGNALS COME AND GO, HORN STOPPED WORKING ENTIRELY.
NHTSA complaint #10140020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBatavia, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. GRAND DAUGHTER HAD TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT DID NOT START VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 27,2005. CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET DEALER, AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL AND TO NOTIFY OLDSMOBILE. CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE, AND THEY SAID TO NOTIFIY GM, DID THAT, AND THEY SENT OUT A INVESTIGATOR LAST THURSDAY. THEN, RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM TO GIVE THE SAME INFORMATION THAT CONSUMER ALREADY GAVE 5 OR 6 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10129478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION IN HIS 1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERRA. *NM *SB
NHTSA complaint #10127911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilkes Barre, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN HOW REPAIRS TO TRANSMISSION ON THE 1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERRA WAS HANDLED.*MR THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE FIRST TIME ONE OF THE SMALLER SHOPS WANTED THE CONSUMER TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR 5 DAYS AS COLLATERAL UNTIL THE PART ARRIVED AND PAY $1400.00 UP FRONT. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *BF THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10122645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesBerwyn, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
MY MAIN COMPLAINT RELATES TO THE DISC BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPER ASSEMBLIES ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE SINCE 1996 AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND MORE RECENTLY THE CALIPERS DUE TO THEM FREEZING UP. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR I HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWO INSTANCES PROBABLY THREE WHERE I CHANGED MY BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY BECAUSE OF UNEVEN WEAR. THE CALIPER WAS NOT PROPERLY RELEASING AND IT WAS CAUSING ONE PAD USUALLY THE INSIDE PAD (THE ONE WITHOUT) THE METAL STRIP TO WEAR DOWN. IN THE FIRST TWO CASES I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, AND THE FONT ROTORS. MORE RECENTLY IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE FRONT SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY (ONLY A YEAR OR LESS SINCE MY LAST BRAKE PAD CHANGE). THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER I STARTED HEARING A THUMPING SOUND FROM THE BACK BRAKES WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND WHEN IT WAS IN FOR INSPECTION I WAS TOLD THAT THE BACK BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WERE STICKING AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE DAMAGED. I ENDED UP SPENDING OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE REAR CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS AND NEW ROTORS WHILE IN FOR INSPECTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS, AND TAKEN CARE OF IT FROM DAY ONE, BUT THE MOST DISAPPOINTING AND EXPENSIVE PART IS THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I DON'T THINK I AM ALONE, MY FATHER WHO ALSO OWNS AN OLDS CULTASS HAS HAD NOT AS MUCH, BUT SOME OF THE SAME EXPERIENCES WITH HIS BRAKES, CALIPERS AND ROTORS. I THINK THAT THERE IS AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THEM FROM DAY ONE - I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT EITHER WAY IT HAS CAUSED ME TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ($1500-$2000 OR MORE) OVER THE YEARS REPLACING THINGS THAT SHOULD WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10114440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesFort Payne, AL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER LEANED ON THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. EVOQ WAS FILED BY TONNY JENNINGS 408 GRAND AVE SW, FORT PAYNE, AL 35967/256-845-1500.
NHTSA complaint #10087116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING AND SOMETHING DROPPED UNDER MY HOOD CAUSING IT TO BE STUCK IN ONE GEAR. I BELIEVE MY TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP. IT WON'T GO IN REVERSE ONLY FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #10018312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesSaratoga Springs, NY
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10009665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER STARTING VEHICLE IT WILL JERK OR HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #8020244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT AT 35MPH ON FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8019107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE SAFETY BELTS FAILED WHILE TIGHTENING CHILDRENS CAR SEATS. THE PLASTIC CLIPS SNAP EASILY WHEN PULLING THE BELT TIGHT. WITH THE CLIP BROKEN THE SEATBELT DOESN'T HOLD THE CAR SEAT IN POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #786417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
VEHICLE IS IN THE STATIONWAGON SERIES WITH A LUGGAGE RACK. ENTIRE LUGGAGE RACK WITH ONE MATTRESS TIED TO IT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM ROOF. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8018347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, IN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWN A STREET WITH NO DEBRIS OR BUMPS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8016876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazlehurst, MS
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
LOW COOLANT INDICATOR, TUNE-UP BRAKES
NHTSA complaint #9006512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.