239 of the
2,251 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Cutlass
are about the engine —
11% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. A FEW YEARS EARLIER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND ON APRIL 13, 2008, THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE OILER RACKER ARM ASSEMBLY. THE ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING A HOLE FOR THE OIL TO FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SPEED AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 5/6/08 *CN UPDATED 05/06/08
NHTSA complaint #10224846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OR GREATER THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10198433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO START AND EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS NEEDING A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MADE THE REPAIR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING ANOTHER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, POWERTRAIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 07/10/07
NHTSA complaint #10192532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED TWICE. FIRST REPAIRED AT MONROE SERVICE ON 11-18-2005 AT 76655 MILES THE COST WAS $731.16. SECOND REPAIR WAS AT GOODYEAR GEMINI ON 12-21-2006 AT 82274MILES. THE COST WAS $642.40. BOTH FACILITIES WERE ASE CERTIFIED. I HAVE BEEN AN ASSISTANT STORE MANAGER IN THE PAST FOR BOTH PROCARE AND GOODYEAR, AND RARELY SAW A FAILURE OF AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, EXCEPT IN EARLY FORIEGN ENGINES WITH ALUMINUM BLOCKS OR ALUMINUM HEADS OR BOTH. I JUST HAD A FRONT BRAKE OVERHAUL AT MIDAS, AND THE TECH NICIAN ASKED IF I HAD HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEINTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH SET ME OFF ON THIS SEARCH. I TALKED TO THE MANAGERS AT BOTH MONROE AND GOODYEAR ,AND BOTH SAID THEY HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE GASKETS THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR. DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, AND SAW THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUT OF CANADA WAS BEING FILED. I COULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION OF BOTH REPAIRS. TALKED TO GM ABOUT IT, AND AS I EXPECTED, SAID THAT I DIDN'T BRING IT TO A GM FACILITY FOR REPAIR, AND THAT IT HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. I DID NOT CONSIDER 76665 OR 82274 AS EXCESSIVE MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR OF THE CAR OR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS DEFECT CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK OUT ONTO HOT EXTERIOR OF THE ENGINE?
NHTSA complaint #10187341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I HAVE A 1998 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS WITH 55,000 MILES--THE CAR HAS A 3.1 LITER V6 WITH A BLOWN INTAKE GASKET-- IT COST ME $550 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. PER 3 MECHANICS --"ALL"L 3.1 INTAKE GASKETS GO OUT AT AROUND 50,00 MILES I FEEL THE GM SHOULD PAY FOR DEFECTS THAT EFFECTS ALL 3.1S I'VE HAD 40+ CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER EVER HAD AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GO OUT ON ANY OF THEM---------TO ME THAT'S A MFG DEFECT!!!
NHTSA complaint #10182923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
LTR FM (FL) RE DEFECTIVE 1996 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. *TS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, THE BATTERY HAD A LOW CHARGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND OIL. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE INDICATOR FOR THE FUEL NEVER GAVE AN ACTUAL READING OF THE FUEL IN THE TANK, IT FLUCTUATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IT WAS HARD TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. THE CONSUMER HAD A WATER PUMP INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10146491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LTR FM CONSUMER (FL) RE DEFECTIVE 1996 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. *TS SIX MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICE THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR A WHILE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED ANOTHER SENSOR. EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER 100,000 MILES . THE FUEL GAUGE NEVER GAVE THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK READING. THE FUEL NEEDLE WOULD FLUCTUATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEED. MANY BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE BATTERY INDICATOR NEVER ILLUMINATED INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10146422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED OIL AND ANTIFREEZE DUE TO THE TYPE OF PLASTIC THAT WAS MANUFACTURED FOR THIS GASKET. THE GASKET HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE COST. *AK UPDATED 11/30/2005 - ALTHOUGH THE DEALER VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AS REQUESTED BY THE MANUFACTURER THEY REFUSED REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10142877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1992 CUTLASS SUPREME EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE HAS BEEN NO VISIBLE SIGN OF AND OIL LEAK NOR DOES THE VEHICLE SMOKE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10128018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY COOLENT IS LEAKING. I HAVE HAD MY HEAD GASKET REPLACED TWICE AND IT I STILL HAVE LEAK. I WAS TOLD BY THE GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO EXPECT TO REPLACE MY HEAD GASKIT EVERY 20-40,000 MILES. THERE IS A DEFECT. ALSO MY AC KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. MY POWER WINDOW ARE GETTING STUCK WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR. I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10126666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE OVERHEATING -- COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. INTAKE MAINFOLD GASKET SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILING AT AROUND 57,000 MILES FAILED COMPLETELY AT 59,000 MILES. DID SOME RESEARCH ON INTERNET AND FOUND DOZENS OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.1 LITER V-6 ENGINE IN THIS AND SIMILAR GM MODELS. CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A 50/50 ON THE COST OF REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10124171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. SHE STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND SOME TYPE OF CODE COMES ON. THE CODE MEANS A SLIP IN THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER HAS DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THIS CODE IS KNOWN TO COME ON IN A LOT OF GM MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10121599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THESE 3.1 LITER ENGINES HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10115244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I CURRENTLY HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 OLDS CUTLASS GL. MY POWER STEERING IS STIFF AND MAKES A "WAILING" NOISE. MY COOLENT SYSTEM HAS A LEAK. MY HEAT AND AIR HAVE COMPLETEY STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS (IN THE PAST THAT HAVE BEEN REPAIRED_ WITH MY POWER WINDOW LOCKING UP (DRIVERS SIDE). THE SOUND SYSTEM SHORTED OUT. THE CD PLAYER QUIT WORKING. I HAVE REPLACED MY WIPER BLADES SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY STILL DO NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY. ONE TIME WHEN MY TEENS WERE USING MY CAR, THEY WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD...NOT ONLY WERE THEY TERRIFIED, IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THEM TO BE IN.
NHTSA complaint #10114007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.