600 of the 2,251 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Cutlass are about the braking system — 27% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1991.
600
Complaints
27%
Share of all complaints
23
Crashes
3
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
98 OLDS CUTLASS. REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH IN VICINITY OF LR WHEEL . RESULTED IN SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID. NO SEPARATE RESERVOIR FOR FRONT BRAKE FLUID. HEARD OF SIMILAR EVENT WITH SAME MODEL STYLE CHEVY MALIBU. NO YEAR KNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10315673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED ALONG THE FITTINGS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 93V121000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES LINES, PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 6/23/2006 - THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN, TRANSMISSION PAN AND GAS TANK ALSO RUSTED. .
NHTSA complaint #10159343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A 94 CUTLASS OLDS WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AND THEN STOPS. TODAY I ALMOST HIT KID CROSSING THE STREET. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I JUST HAD MY BRAKES REPLACED ALL THE WAY AROUND AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I HAD THEM REPLACED ON 8-16-05. THIS DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME SO THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THEY ARE NOT GOING TO STOP RIGHT AWAY. I CHECKED YOUR SITE AND THERE ARE 16 COMPLAINTS ON THE BRAKES. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE TO MAKE GM DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THE CAR IS A 94 BUT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF US ON THE STREETS. I AM THINKING ABOUT CALLING THE NEWS STATION HOTLINE SO THIS PROBLEM WILL REALLY BE MADE PUBLIC AND SEE HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE COMPLAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10134183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
NAR 05/21/2003 *MR WATER LEAK IN TRUNK, MISSING ABSORBER IN REAR DOOR, SUSPENSION NOISE, 4 NEW TIRES REPLACED, NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, AND COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10021548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE PER YEAR. CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO OR THREE TIMES. VEHICLE WILL NOT DO AN EMERGENCY STOP. IT TAKES A LONG DISTANCE TO STOP NORMALLY. THE ABS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MECHANICS SAY THIS IS COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10065766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE PER YEAR. CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO OR THREE TIMES. VEHICLE WILL NOT DO AN EMERGENCY STOP. IT TAKES A LONG DISTANCE TO STOP NORMALLY. THE ABS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MECHANICS SAY THIS IS COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10065766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE PER YEAR. CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO OR THREE TIMES. VEHICLE WILL NOT DO AN EMERGENCY STOP. IT TAKES A LONG DISTANCE TO STOP NORMALLY. THE ABS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MECHANICS SAY THIS IS COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10065766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
HARNESS, WHEEL SPEED SENSOR JUMPER WIRING, REPLACED LEFT FRONT HUB AND SENSOR ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10058970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ON MY 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CRUISER MAKE THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP ON AN ICY ROAD. AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, 15 MPH OR LESS ONCE THE ANTILOCK BREAKS KICK IN THE CAR TAKES OFF AND SLIDES RIGHT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION THIS BEHAVIOR IS UNPREDICTABLE, SCARY AND QUITE DANGEROUS. THE TIRES AND BRAKES ARE NEW AND IN GOOD CONDITION. DISABLING THE ANTILOCK BREAKS MAKES THE CAR VERY EASY TO STOP UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS EVEN IF A WHEEL SKIDS A LITTLE BIT. THIS ISN'T AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE AS MUCH AS IT IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN CONCEPT. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES MAY BE FINE FOR A 65 MPH STOP ON A RAINY CALIFORNIA EXPRESSWAY, BUT THEY ARE TERRIBLE ON AN ICY OR SNOWY NEW YORK ROAD AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH, IN A SLOW SPEED STOP ONCE ONE WHEEL SLIPS. THE WHEELS GO INTO ANTILOCK AND SINCE ALL THE WHEELS ARE ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE THE ANTILOCK ACTION CONTINUES EFFECTIVELY SHUTTING THE BREAKS OFF MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THE ANTILOCK ACTION IS VERY VIOLENT AND ACTUALLY CAUSES THE WHEELS TO SKID RESULTING IN MORE ANTILOCK ACTION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FEATHER THE BRAKES TO BRING THE CAR TO A PREDICTABLE STOP ON AN ICY ROAD. I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL GM VEHICLES AND THEY ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WILL AVOID PURCHASING ANTILOCK BREAKS WHEREVER POSSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY THE DESIGNERS NEVER WENT THROUGH A NEW YORK WINTER WITH THESE BRAKES. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10049138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHILE DRIVING ABS WARNING ALARM CHIME CAME ON, AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE CONTINUOUSLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR. THIS WAS AS A RESULT OF ABS MODULE SENSOR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10042041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING ABS WARNING ALARM CHIME CAME ON, AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE CONTINUOUSLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR. THIS WAS AS A RESULT OF ABS MODULE SENSOR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10042041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING ABS WARNING ALARM CHIME CAME ON, AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE CONTINUOUSLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR. THIS WAS AS A RESULT OF ABS MODULE SENSOR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10042041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LTR FM SEBASTIAN SCOLLO (CT) REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BRAKE REPAIRS ON HIS 1989 GM OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME.*MR CONSUMER IS ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BRAKE REPAIRS.*TS
NHTSA complaint #10037984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
MY 1993 OLDS CUTLASS SL HAS HAD BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE IN A YEAR IN THE REAR WITH GM PARTS ONCE IN THE FRONT. ALL ROTORS REPLACED, TWICE IN THE FRONT. THE HOP I TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE SAYS THE CUTLASS HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE COMPONENTS ON THIS CAR. I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL. ANY INFORMATION ON THIS YOU COULD GIVE TO ME WOULD BE GREAT. I FEEL I SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECOUP SOME OF THE COST FROM GM. THE SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO TO CONTACT. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10036894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR A TURNING CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WERE SEIZED.
NHTSA complaint #10036822 — 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.