FaultScore

Oldsmobile Cutlass acceleration problems

101 of the 2,251 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Cutlass are about the throttle and cruise control — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1994.

101

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

28

Crashes

0

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

1983 Cutlass 1 1.0%
1984 Cutlass 2 2.0%
1985 Cutlass 4 4.0%
1986 Cutlass 3 3.0%
1987 Cutlass 2 2.0%
1988 Cutlass 2 2.0%
1989 Cutlass 4 4.0%
1990 Cutlass 6 5.9%
1991 Cutlass 13 12.9%

Median failure at 200,000 miles

1992 Cutlass 10 9.9%
1993 Cutlass 6 5.9%
1994 Cutlass 19 18.8%
1995 Cutlass 12 11.9%

Median failure at 101,500 miles

1996 Cutlass 10 9.9%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

1997 Cutlass 3 3.0%
1998 Cutlass 2 2.0%
1999 Cutlass 2 2.0%

What owners said

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Raleigh, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CADILLAC & 1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED OFTEN, THE ENGINE WOULD SPEED UP RANDOMLY WHILE IDLING OR IN PARK, AS THOUGH HE WERE TRAVELING 50 MPH. SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10577698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass at 200,000 miles Marathon, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10397375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass at 100,000 miles Bellingham, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

I WAS ACCELERATING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY (GOING ABOUT 60-63 MPH) IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (55-58 MPH) AND WHEN I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I TRIED FEATHERING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GOT VERY LITTLE SLOW DOWN SO BEGAN TO BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET BUT WITH LITTLE EFFECT. CAR WAS VIBRATING AND I HAD TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL TO TRY AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND ALSO GET MAXIMUM LEVERAGE ON FLOOR BRAKE. I MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO AN OFF RAMP, DROVE OVER THE ON-OFF RAMP DIVIDER INTO A FIELD. AT THIS POINT I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CAR BEGAN FISHTAILING AND ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. I HEADED TOWARDS A GRASSY INCLINE AND THIS FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR AT WHICH POINT I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I OBSERVED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LIMP ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. A PERSON DRIVING BEHIND ME STOPPED TO CALL STATE PATROL AND CONFIRM THAT HE WITNESSED MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON BUT ONLY THE LEFT REAR TIRE BRAKING. THE STATE TROOPER CONFIRMED THIS BY OBSERVING A SINGLE TIRE SKID MARK ON THE OFF-RAMP. ACCELERATOR THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10203367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass at 100,000 miles Bellingham, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

I WAS ACCELERATING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY (GOING ABOUT 60-63 MPH) IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (55-58 MPH) AND WHEN I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I TRIED FEATHERING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GOT VERY LITTLE SLOW DOWN SO BEGAN TO BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET BUT WITH LITTLE EFFECT. CAR WAS VIBRATING AND I HAD TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL TO TRY AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND ALSO GET MAXIMUM LEVERAGE ON FLOOR BRAKE. I MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO AN OFF RAMP, DROVE OVER THE ON-OFF RAMP DIVIDER INTO A FIELD. AT THIS POINT I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CAR BEGAN FISHTAILING AND ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. I HEADED TOWARDS A GRASSY INCLINE AND THIS FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR AT WHICH POINT I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I OBSERVED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LIMP ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. A PERSON DRIVING BEHIND ME STOPPED TO CALL STATE PATROL AND CONFIRM THAT HE WITNESSED MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON BUT ONLY THE LEFT REAR TIRE BRAKING. THE STATE TROOPER CONFIRMED THIS BY OBSERVING A SINGLE TIRE SKID MARK ON THE OFF-RAMP. ACCELERATOR THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10203367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass at 101,500 miles Gulf 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.

1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Muncie, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

CONSUMERS SON WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THINKING THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK, CONSUMER TRIED TO FREE IT BY HAND. THE ACCELERATOR WAS FREE AND FUNCTIONING. THE DEALERS FINAL DIAGNOSIS WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE DID NOT DISENGAGE BUT HELD THE ACCELERATOR OPEN, CAUSING A RACING ENGINE AND RUNAWAY VEHICLE. *JG

NHTSA complaint #567813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Stouffville, MA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

GMC WOULD NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM; CLAIMED THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #763228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Kennsha, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD.

NHTSA complaint #8010699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cinn, OH Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED AND HIT OWNER AND TWO PRARKED CARS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8007157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Phoenix, OR Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY WHILE TRAVELING 5MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ROAR UP AND SPEED UP. IT HIT NEIGHBOR'S VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #896832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Baltimore, MD Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY CONSUMER CHANGED GEAR TO DRIVE , AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF LIKE AN AIRPLANE. VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. IT JUMPED THE CURVE AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #896004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Mishawaka, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE ACELLERATED AND DECELERATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE WOULD TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #893298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Arlington, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE HIT A CART A CHILD WAS PUSHING KNOCK THE CART OVER ONTO THE CHILD (NO INJURIES GIVEN IF ANY). NLM

NHTSA complaint #560406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Milledgeville, GA Crash 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS IN PROCESS OF PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK WHEN ENGINE STARTED REVVING. SUDDENLY VEHICLE TOOK OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO GO THROUGH A GLASS WINDOW. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER HAS SOMEONE COMING OUT, NOT THE DEALER TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #890738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass NEW Port Richie, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN TURNING ON TURN SIGNAL LIGHT ACCIDENTLY COULD TOUCH CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH WOULD ACTIVATE, AND ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE.

NHTSA complaint #888079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Detroit, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY DURING ACCELERATION PEDAL WENT ALL WAY TO FLOOR. PULLED OFF ROAD, LOOKED UNDER HOOD, AND NOTICED A CABLE THAT WAS BROKEN. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN OLDSMOBILE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #876216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Detroit, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

THIS IS A TEST.

NHTSA complaint #876217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Detroit, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY AT ABOUT 20 MPH ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT ALL WAY TO THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS PULED OFF ROAD, AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND NOTICED A BROKEN CABLE. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN OLDSMOBILE DEALER. NO ACCIIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #876219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Detroit, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY AT 20 MPH ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND CHECKED UDER HOOD AND NOTICED A BROKEN CABLE. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRS AT AN OLDSMOBILE DEALER. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #876220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cheasapeake, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BOTH PASSENGER'S SID EAND DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, CRUISE CONTROL SURGES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA complaint #873165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Oldsmobile Cutlass problems