109 of the
2,251 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Cutlass
are about the suspension —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
WHILE DRIVING MY FIANCES OLDSMOBILE, I NOTICED A BAD SHUDDER UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING. UPON INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT HAD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY HAD BEEN SO BADLY COMPROMISED I AM SURE THAT HAD I NEEDED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY THE CONTROL ARM WOULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING THE RIGHT WHEEL TO COME OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO FLEX PART OF THE CONTROL ARM BY HAND UPON REMOVAL FROM THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A VERY EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DECAY ON SUCH A CRITICAL PART ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTY, BUT IT SEEMED STRUCTURALLY SOUND. THIS LEADS ME TO SUSPECT THE LEFT ONE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AND THAT THERE COULD BE MORE DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS OUT THERE. I REPLACED THE CONTROL ARM BUT KEPT THE OLD ONE IN CASE GM OR THE NHTSA WISHES IT TO BE SHIPPED TO THEM FOR ANALYSIS. I ALSO HAVE DETAILED PICTURES OF THE PART TO PROVIDE UPON REQUEST. I LIVE IN MN WHICH IS A STATE WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER.
NHTSA complaint #10609486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH SHE HEARD A RUBBING AND SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE STRUT HOUSING WAS PUSHING UP AGAINST THE HOOD. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10343987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE BLOWING OUT THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, AND IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 25 MPH AND ON A SIDE STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A MAIN ROAD THERE VERY WELL MAY HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I AM NOT SURE AS TO HOW MANY RECENT REPORTS THERE HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS ISSUE BUT I SEE THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SPRINGS BREAKING ON 1999 CHEVY MALIBU'S IN THE PAST. AND I FEEL THIS IS AN UNCALLED FOR SAFETY DEFECT. WHILE MY CAR IS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS IT'S AN EXACT TWIN TO THE CHEVY MALIBU.
NHTSA complaint #10342120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE BLOWING OUT THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, AND IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 25 MPH AND ON A SIDE STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A MAIN ROAD THERE VERY WELL MAY HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I AM NOT SURE AS TO HOW MANY RECENT REPORTS THERE HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS ISSUE BUT I SEE THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SPRINGS BREAKING ON 1999 CHEVY MALIBU'S IN THE PAST. AND I FEEL THIS IS AN UNCALLED FOR SAFETY DEFECT. WHILE MY CAR IS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS IT'S AN EXACT TWIN TO THE CHEVY MALIBU.
NHTSA complaint #10342120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, THE REAR STRUT MOUNT BRACKETS ARE BAD, EVERYONE WE HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE HAD THEM BREAK EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE PURCHASED THERE VEHICLES NEW HAVE SAID THE BRACKETS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. IF THE BRACKET BREAKS IT CAN LEAD THE DRIVER TO WRECK OR EVEN THE STRUT BEING PROPELLED THROUGH THE BACK SEAT. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE BRACKETS IN PLACE SHEERED OFF. WE DO HAVE THE ORIGINAL BRACKET.
NHTSA complaint #10285048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V189000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,632 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,132. UPDATED 06/09/2008.
NHTSA complaint #10227569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEELS TURNED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT/CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, AND THE CONTROL ARM WERE EITHER BROKE OR DAMAGED. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE THE ABOVE MENTIONED COMPONENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10135435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEELS TURNED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT/CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, AND THE CONTROL ARM WERE EITHER BROKE OR DAMAGED. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE THE ABOVE MENTIONED COMPONENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10135435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON APRIL 26,2005 WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK THE SPRING WAS REPLACED, FRONT END ALIGNED AND THE TIRE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS WITH APX. 42000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL AUTOMOBILE. THANK YOU, HAROLD OLIVER
NHTSA complaint #10118742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE I HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE AND FELT THE CAR BOUNCE. THINKING THAT IS WAS JUST THE ICE RIDGES IN THE DRIVE WAY I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE CAR. I DROVE ONLY A FEW BLOCKS WHEN I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING SO I RETURNED HOME AND PARKED THE CAR UNTIL MY HUSBAND RETURNED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR MECHANIC WERE HE REPLACED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND THE FRONT TIRE BECAUSE THE BROKEN COIL SPRING LEFT A DEEP GASH IN IT.
NHTSA complaint #10114460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY MADE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND A RECALL NUMBER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER. *JB INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10096742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
INTERMITTENTLY THERE IS VIBRATION AND GRINDING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WORE OUT. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD HAD FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS SINCE 1999.
NHTSA complaint #10081986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE HAS AROUND 98000 MILES "LIGHT" WENT OUT ON A MONDAY MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND FOUND THE DIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE WHEEL HUB. AFTER JACKING THE CAR UP I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED. IMMEDIATELY I HAD IT TOWED TO A GM DEALER FOR REPAIR. CONTACTED GM AND DEALER, BOTH SAID THIS WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR??? MY CONCERN WAS THAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND MORE THEN LIKELY CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. I HAVE THE OLD PART AND WAS TOLD THE SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND DID NOT NEED REPLACED. BUT I QUESTION THAT.
NHTSA complaint #10074493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKED. CONSUMER STATED STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN TO THE LEFT. *AK POWER STEERING PUMP, PULLEY AND PRESSURE HOSE WERE REPLACED. ALSO, NOISE ON FRONT END OF VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10066759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH COIL SPRING BROKE. THIS RESULTED IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE GOING UP INTO THE FENDER, AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKING UP. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT, THEN, VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY NOTICED THAT THE RUST DEVELOPED ON THE EDGE OF THE COIL SPRING.
NHTSA complaint #10061098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10055713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE SUSPENSION. THE MECHANIC HAD NOT YET RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10053423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS- ENGINE CRADLE AND/OR FRONT SUSPENSIONS BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *LA THE CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE DECEASED CONSUMER. THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A DITCH AND BEGAN TO ROLL APPROX. THREE TIMES COMING TO A REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10043188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.