FaultScore

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass brake problems

26 of the 160 complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass are about the braking system — 16% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 97,500 miles.

B

26

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 13 50.0%
Rotor 4 15.4%
Disc 3 11.5%
Foundation Components 2 7.7%
Pads 2 7.7%
Caliper 1 3.8%
Drum 1 3.8%

Brakes across every Oldsmobile Cutlass year

1988 47 7.9%
1989 58 9.8%
1990 66 11.1%
1991 78 13.1%
1992 70 11.8%
1993 59 9.9%
1994 41 6.9%
1995 41 6.9%
1996 26 4.4%
1997 35 5.9%
1998 51 8.6%
1999 22 3.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 70,000 miles Wheaton, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED 5 MONTHS LATER WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, BUT NEVER RETURNED A CALL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE, AND COULD A POSE SERIOUS RISK IF THE PROBLEM RECURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10171983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Grand Haven, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON, WHICH THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER.*AK THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND A WIRE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #10113668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vancouver, 00

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB ALSO, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANIMS DO NOT LOCK INTO POSITION AND CAN ALLOW FOR SEAT OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, DASH, WINDSHIELD DURING A CRASH. MJJ

NHTSA complaint #10015987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Selkirk, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

REAR CALIPERS ARE FROZEN AND DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, REAR BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.*AK THE CONSUMER SAYS REAR CALIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION, ROTORS WERE RUSTY AND REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #898151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Selkirk, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

REAR CALIPERS ARE FROZEN AND DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, REAR BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.*AK THE CONSUMER SAYS REAR CALIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION, ROTORS WERE RUSTY AND REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #898151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Selkirk, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

REAR CALIPERS ARE FROZEN AND DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, REAR BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.*AK THE CONSUMER SAYS REAR CALIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION, ROTORS WERE RUSTY AND REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #898151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lackawanna, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THERE IS A VERY INTENSE GRINDING NOISE WHEN USING BRAKES AND, SOMETIMES BRAKES STICK.

NHTSA complaint #888832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irwin, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #557841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grosse Pointe Park, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WE HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES MORE THAN EIGHT TIMES AND HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS TWICE. WE HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER CUTLASS SUPREME OWNERS AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THEIR BRAKES JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE FREQUENTLY. THIS HAS RESULTED IN COSTLY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #735911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grosse Pointe Park, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WE HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES MORE THAN EIGHT TIMES AND HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS TWICE. WE HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER CUTLASS SUPREME OWNERS AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THEIR BRAKES JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE FREQUENTLY. THIS HAS RESULTED IN COSTLY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #735911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burnsville, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED FOR BRAKE PROBLEM, BRAKES WERE MAKING A LOUD SQEAKING NOISE. AT THAT TIME BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. PRESENTLY, BACK BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 35,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #873555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Britai, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHILE HAVING A BRAKE JOB IT WAS NOTED THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAD HOLES IN THE CASTING ON THE INSIDE FACE OF BOTH FRONT ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #781257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leicester, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, IN ORDER TO STOP, EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN MANY CASES, VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #859228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leicester, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, IN ORDER TO STOP, EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN MANY CASES, VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #859228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Ridgeville, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES WHEN DRIVING ON AN INCLINE OR DURING REGULAR DRIVING. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE SAME MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS EXLUDED DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #845045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE BRAKING BRAKE PEDAL "FREEZES," CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #842914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS AT A PARKED POSITION AND SITTING FOR A WHILE, THEN WHEN BACKING UP THE CONSUMER CAN HEAR SHOT OF AIR GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES A BACKWARD SURGE (ALMOST AS THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD LOCK UP) WITH NO BRAKE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASION SAND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #842941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Queen Cree, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP RESULTING IN SKIDDING ON OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #525522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holiday, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED AND RESURFACED ALL FOUR ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #536038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holiday, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED AND RESURFACED ALL FOUR ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #536038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holiday, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED AND RESURFACED ALL FOUR ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #536038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waynesville, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES ARE DRAGGING.

NHTSA complaint #535873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE RIGHT HUB/ BEARINGS, AND ON 12-31 97 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED . OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND LOST BRAKES. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #821624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aragon, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING WHEN IT'S WET AND STEPPING ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND THEN LET LOOSE. ALSO WHEN YOU DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND APPLYING FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WILL STILL MOVE FORWARD ABOUT 15 FEET BEFORE IT STOPS.

NHTSA complaint #817296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrillville, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #809408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE CAR HAS ABS. THE ABS SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK AND THE ABS LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON AND THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATES AND CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND STOPPING THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #806939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems

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