35 of the 161 complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass are about the braking system — 22% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 68,800 miles.
35
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #10170889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1997, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED, AN $800 REPAIR. THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED, A $400 REPAIR. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING HOME THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, I WAS WITHIN A MILE OF HOME, SO I JUST KEPT GOING. AS I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, ALL OF THE CONTROLS ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED, SPEED LIMIT, GAS GAUGE, ETC. I ALSO APPARENTLY HAD NO LIGHTS BECAUSE THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN INTO ME WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10033265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES, USUALLY DURING A TURN, BUT NO ADVERSE CONDITIONS OCCUR. WHEN DIAGNOSED, IT WAS STATED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR WAS BAD. I HAVE HAD BOTH FRONT SPEED SENSORS REPLACED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, AND SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, I JUST DEAL WITH THE LIGHT. I JUST BROUGHT IT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO, AND AGAIN THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS SAID THAT IT WAS A SPEED SENSOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED , ROTARS, PADS, SHOES, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #750961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED , ROTARS, PADS, SHOES, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #750961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, BRAKING DISTANCE IS NORMAL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 15-20 TIMES. REPLACED BRAKE PADS/ ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY/ WIRING HARNESS, AND PUT IN SENSOR. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM, VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. *AK SERPENTINE AND TENSIONER BELT BROKEN. SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS DUE TO BAD THEFT LOCK SENSOR ASSEMBLY . BLOWER SPEEDS INOPERATIVE. A/C CONTROL INOPERATIVE. LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALLS TO FLOOR. POWER WINDOW INOPERABLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SWITCH FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #890371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, BRAKING DISTANCE IS NORMAL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 15-20 TIMES. REPLACED BRAKE PADS/ ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY/ WIRING HARNESS, AND PUT IN SENSOR. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM, VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. *AK SERPENTINE AND TENSIONER BELT BROKEN. SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS DUE TO BAD THEFT LOCK SENSOR ASSEMBLY . BLOWER SPEEDS INOPERATIVE. A/C CONTROL INOPERATIVE. LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALLS TO FLOOR. POWER WINDOW INOPERABLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SWITCH FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #890371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS ARE LEAKING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #885553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING BRAKES TO VIBRATE.
NHTSA complaint #881321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF BRAKE PROBLEMS, WHICH BEGAN IN JUNE OF 1998, SINCE THAT TIME AND UP TO THE PRESENT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST, THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE, REPAIRS INCLUDE REAR DRUM REPLACEMENT(6/9/98), RIGHT FRONT HUB REPLACEMENT(8/4/98), FRONT PADS & ROTORS RESURFACED(3/12/99), LEFT FRONT ROTOR REPLACEMENT(6/11/99), RIGHT FRONT CALIPER AND FLEX HOSE REPLACEMENT(7/6/99),LEFT ROTOR RESURFACED (7/12/99) ,CALIPERS AND ROTORS CHANGED(8/23/99)FRONT ROTORS RESURFACED(1/18/00), BRAKE SYSTEM EXPERINCING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #558852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WERE FOUND TO BE PITTED AND WERE CAUSING BRAKES TO FEEL SPONGY AND SQUEAK, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE WAS CHARGED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WERE FOUND TO BE PITTED AND WERE CAUSING BRAKES TO FEEL SPONGY AND SQUEAK, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE WAS CHARGED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR A MONTH HAD APPLIED BRAKES AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. NOISE PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK. BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED. A MONTH LATER , NEEDED A NEW SET OF BRAKES. PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERY TWO WEEKS. MECHANIC INDICATED NO KNOWLEDGE OF CAUSE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES KEPT MESSING UP & WERE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT BEING PROPERLY REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #875785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR A MONTH HAD APPLIED BRAKES AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. NOISE PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK. BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED. A MONTH LATER , NEEDED A NEW SET OF BRAKES. PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERY TWO WEEKS. MECHANIC INDICATED NO KNOWLEDGE OF CAUSE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES KEPT MESSING UP & WERE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT BEING PROPERLY REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #875785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTY PITTED SURFACES. THE RIGHT REAR IS ALMOST TOTALLY POCK MARKED WITH PITS AND CAUSES THE CAR TO PULSATE AND SHAKE SEVERELY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY THREE TIMES FOR FAULTY SENSORS OR WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #724373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 7 TIMES, THERE WAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES BTWEEN SETS OF BRAKES BEING REPAIRED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY COULN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #861691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKES FAILED 3 OTHER TIMES SINCE MAY 1998. AFTER 4TH TIME, CALIPERS WERE FOUND TO BE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS FIXED AT OTHER THAN DEALERSHIP AS DEALER DENIES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #716430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT MORE FREQUENTLY WHICH CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. CURRENTLY ON 5TH PAIR OF BRAKE PADS. ALSO ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHILE MAKING SOME TURNS.
NHTSA complaint #851161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT MORE FREQUENTLY WHICH CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. CURRENTLY ON 5TH PAIR OF BRAKE PADS. ALSO ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHILE MAKING SOME TURNS.
NHTSA complaint #851161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE CRACKED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED CAUSING SMOKE FROM OVERHEATING. YH
NHTSA complaint #549188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WORN OUT. YH
NHTSA complaint #608563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO DEALER REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS AND ROTORS, COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #843896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO DEALER REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS AND ROTORS, COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #843896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE WHEEL SENSOR. MJS
NHTSA complaint #607856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING SQUEAKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #607518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
CALIPERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.