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1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
16Owner complaints

Model-year median: 17

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
16
198418
198523
198616
198774
1988113
1989103
1990
Compare all Cutlass years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
5Seat Belts
5Steering
3Power Train
2Seats
1
All reported categories
Structure
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO REAR AXLE DISCONNECTING FROM VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHTMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #894199

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1995
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #480223

Official recalls

2

89V102000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jun 16, 1989

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

87V168000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Oct 26, 1987

MANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VALVE LINK COULD SEPARATE RESULTING IN A GEARSELECTION DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE DRIVER SELECTS. ALSO, CAR COULD BE STARTEDWITH TRANSMISSION IN GEAR ALLOWING VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNANTICIPATEDDIRECTION.

Remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE DETENT LEVER LINK.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA90041 · Brake Performance

Opened Aug 29, 1990 · Closed Mar 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

PE89145 · Parking Brake Cable

Opened Jul 21, 1989 · Closed Sep 22, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake

===

C89001 · Throttle NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989 · Closed Jan 16, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available