118 of the
2,251 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Cutlass
are about the steering —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
1993 CUTLASS CIERA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR CONDITIONER CONVERSION KIT UPGRADE AND POWER STEERING ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DECLINED ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE AND MILEAGE. ALSO, THE A/C CONVERSION KIT WAS NOT INSTALLED AT A GMC DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #11005690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO TURN THE CORNER AT A GREEN LIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. THE AIR BAGS LIGHT HAS BEEN STAYING ON SINCE 2009.
NHTSA complaint #10715553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VECHILE RECENTLY STARTED MAKING GROANING NOISE WHEN STEERING AND FROM POWER STEERING PUMP. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACE BACK IN 2011. TOOK TO GOODYEAR AND TECH INDICATED PUMP WAS FINE, PROBLEM POINT TO THE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #10559086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2010 FROM A USED CAR DEALER. UPON 6 MONTHS OF DRIVING WE NOTICED A STEERING PROBLEM THAT WAS HARD TO THE LEFT AND JUST DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT. THE ENGINE ALSO HAD OVERHEATING AND GASKET PROBLEMS SO WE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. UPON TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEER HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE AND RAN HIM TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN BACK ANOTHER DIRECTION. UPON RETURN TO THE SHOP HE CONCLUDED THE ENTIRE RACK WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED REPLACED. AT THE TIME IN 2011 WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT GM RECALLED THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER STEERING RACK IN 2003 SO WE HAD PAID FOR A NEW RACK AND PINION TO BE REPLACED. THERE EVIDENTLY WAS LEFTOVER DEBRIS IN THE RACK IN PINION FROM THE ORIGINAL PART FAILURE AND NOW HAS RUINED THE 2ND RACK AND PINION. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IN 2004 OUR CAR IS LISTED AS A CAR THAT WAS AFFECTED AND HAD BEEN SERVICED IN 2004 IN GEORGIA. THE ONLY THING REPLACED WAS A TINY SNAP RING, IN WHICH THE DETAILED REPAIR PDF STATES IN MULTIPLE INCIDENCES THAT IT IS UP TO THE MECHANIC TO DECIDE HOW MUCH FAILURE HAS TAKEN PLACE WHAT TO DO AND THAT ANY MISTEPS WILL LEAD TO OTHER PART FAILURES!! WE BOUGHT THIS CAR W/ VERY LOW MILEAGE SO AT THE POINT THEY SAY THEY FIXED THE CAR AND WHEN IT BROKE WAS APPROX. 30,000 MILES. THEY EITHER DID NOT FIX CORRECTLY OR THEY DID NOT TOUCH THE CAR AT ALL BECAUSE THE VERY DESCRIPTION TO WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR WAS EXACTLY WHAT IS LISTED AS THE FAILURE OF THE PART. WE WOULD LIKE THE ORIGINAL PART FAILURE THAT IS NOW SHREDDED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES CAUSING FUTURE RACK AND PINION FAILURES TO BE FLUSHED CLEAN AND HONESTLY SHOULD REPLACED THE ENTIRE RACK BECAUSE THEY NEVER FIXED THE PART ORIGINALLY OR THEY DIDN'T FIX IT CORRECTLY AND THE ORIGINAL PART FAILED EXACTLY AS STATED ON THE RECALL TO THE POINT THE MECHANIC ALMOST WRECKED OUR CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10548733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRAME, WHERE STEERING RACK BOLTS TO, RUSTED OUT. STEERING RACK BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME CAUSING A DANGEROUS STEERING CONDITION. FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A VERY HIGH COST.
NHTSA complaint #10537788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THE SOUND WAS HEARD ANYTIME A TURN WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING: RACK AND PINION) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #10381029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TIGHTEN WHEN MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO THE STEERING RACK AND PINION, WHICH STATED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THIS IS WHERE THE RETAINER TABS WERE LOCATED. THE FAILURE COULD ALLOW THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT NO CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURES STILL PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CONTINUOUS BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,051 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 125,096.
NHTSA complaint #10257421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ONCE HE LEFT THE MECHANIC, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE IS PLANNING TO RETURN TO THE STATE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10230794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE FOLLOWED BY STEAM POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, THE STRONG ODOR OF OIL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING HOSE RUBBED INTO A MOUNTING BOLT WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #10159191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOTAL FAILURE OF STEERING SYSTEM. MECHANICAL LOCK UP. STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED BY HAND. PROBLEM OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED CLOSE TO HOME. THE STEERING RACK BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. GM COMPLAINT # 1-399 751 487 MARCH 18,2006.
NHTSA complaint #10153079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/22/06.
NHTSA complaint #10151667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 1997 CUTLASS SUPREME FROM GABRIEL JORDAN OF HENDERSON TEXAS. THERE IS A RECALL ON A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. IN THEIR WORDS: "CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668." THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS EQUIPMENT EVEN THOUGH IT IS FAULTY. THEY CLAIM THEIR PARTS ARE NOT ON THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A QUOTE OF $1,300 TO REPLACE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10140756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL ON 1998 OLDS CUTLASS- I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF SUCH RECALL ON STEERING: RACK AND PINION. I AM PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS REPAIR AND AM GETTING A RUN AROUND FROM OLDSMOBILE. MY CAR IS BEING SERVICED AT A NON-GM FACILITY. OLDSMOBILE IS VERY INCONSISTANT AND UNRELIABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WILL NEVER BUY A GM VEHICLE, AND RECOMMEND THAT MY FRIENDS/FAMILY NOT BUY ONE EITHER. GM IS NOT CUSTOMER ORIENTED AND THIS IS VERY DISSAPPOINTING.
NHTSA complaint #10134164 — 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.
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.
THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MAKING LEFT TURNS. WHEN TURNING LEFT THE STEERING GETS HARD AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10111377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK.....ALL STEERING WAS LOST NOT JUST POWER STEERING. WITH NO CONTROL, VEHICLE MOVED TO THE NEXT LANE. DRIVER HAD NO STEERING, ONLY COULD USE BRAKES. DEALER BOUGHT IT FOR $500.00 TO GERT VEHICLE OFF ROAD.F THIS VEHICLE WA SGOING A THIGHWAY SPEED, THE DRIVER OR ANOTHER DRIVER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10099911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.