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 U…
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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 ODI #10230794
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001
Electrical SystemSteeringFire
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 25MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS. POPPED HOOD, AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. *AK CONSUMER STATES STEERING COLUMN IS THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #890505
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING...SEVERAL TIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS...LOOSES STEERING, BRAKES...SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS. DEALERS & REPAIR SHOPS CAN NEVER DUPLICATE OR IDENTIFY A PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #734213
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN STEERING SHAFT DISENGAGED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #731499
Mileage unknown · May 8, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HESITATES, MISFIRES,AND TODAY IT BACKFIRED FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CAR YOU CAN SMELL A THE FUEL OUT OF THE EXHAUST . THIS PROBLEM IS NOT INTERMITTENT IT IS CONSTANT AND I FEEL IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS ON THIS CAR . I WENT TO AN OLDMOBILE DEALERSHIP TO ASK ABOUT RECALLS . THE…
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THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HESITATES, MISFIRES,AND TODAY IT BACKFIRED FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CAR YOU CAN SMELL A THE FUEL OUT OF THE EXHAUST . THIS PROBLEM IS NOT INTERMITTENT IT IS CONSTANT AND I FEEL IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS ON THIS CAR . I WENT TO AN OLDMOBILE DEALERSHIP TO ASK ABOUT RECALLS . THEY SAID THERE WERE NONE, HOWEVER , IN A CONSUMER REPORTS BOOK I AM READING IT USES THE SAME CAR AS MINE FOR AN EXAMPLE OF A VEHICLE WITH A EXHAUST EMISSIONS RECALL. THE REAR BRAKES HAD A 10 POINT REAR BRAKE JOB CONSISTING OF NEW CYLINDERS ,HARDWARE, DRUMS TURNED AND NEW PADS. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE IN GOOD REPAIR. YET IT SEEMS THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT STOPPING THE CAR EFFECTIVELY
NHTSA ODI #706326
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1998
Power TrainSteering
STEERING COLLAPSED IN CONSUMER'S LAP WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, IGNITION AUTOMATIC SWITCH TURNED ITSELF OFF. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832462
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
RECALL # 97V058000 GM/REAR CRADLE BOLTS; VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER RECALL IN JULY OF 1998. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 3 MPH AND COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ON THE EVE OF THANKSGIVING, THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831653
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1996
Steering
WHILE DRIVING, STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, COULDN'T TURN STEERING WHEEL, WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE; LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT; SPEED 40 TO 45 MPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #803752
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1996
Seat BeltsSteeringStructure
FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT , THE SEAT BELT IS WRAPPED AROUND THE LEVER, CAUSING THE SEATBACK TO RECLINE TO THE REST POSITION.*AK *JB
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
THE ELECTRONIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN STARTING CAR THAT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS WITH IGNITION OFF.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WINDSHIELD MAY NOT DEFROST AND CAR WOULD NOT CONFORMWITH FMVSS 103.
Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC COMFORT CONTROL ASSEMBLY.
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
4
EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures
Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes
Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch
Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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