CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DASHBOARD COMPONENTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS OR HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING/DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING DEFECT. MECHANIC TRIED TO PUT A BRAND NEW PART IN THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE PROBLEM …
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DASHBOARD COMPONENTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS OR HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING/DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING DEFECT. MECHANIC TRIED TO PUT A BRAND NEW PART IN THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUME RHAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 3 YEARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10089093
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD STAY OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, DEALER STATED CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED THREE TIMES. THE THREE COILS AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILS TO START DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #883648
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Electrical System
INTERMITTENT DIGITAL DASHBOARD FAILURE (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE). *AK
NHTSA ODI #725550
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2000
Electrical System
I TOOK TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM THE MASTER COMPUTER WAS EVEN REPLACED WITH A GMAC REBUILD THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CHANGED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722370
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 1999
Electrical System
THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD IN THIS CAR FAILS INTERMITTANTLY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS ON STARTUP, AND SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. UPON FAILURE THE DASHOARD IS BLACK, WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THIS AUTOMOBILE. SOMETIMES THE FAILURE LASTS FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND SOMTIMES FOR HOURS. ON ONE TRIP I HAD NO SPEEDOMETER FOR 4…
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THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD IN THIS CAR FAILS INTERMITTANTLY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS ON STARTUP, AND SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. UPON FAILURE THE DASHOARD IS BLACK, WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THIS AUTOMOBILE. SOMETIMES THE FAILURE LASTS FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND SOMTIMES FOR HOURS. ON ONE TRIP I HAD NO SPEEDOMETER FOR 4 HOURS. I BELIEVE THAT FHE FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS DEALER THAT FAILURE OF DIGITAL DASHOARDS IN GM CARS HAPPENS OFTEN AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I WAS GIVEN A FIGURE OF APPROXIMATELY $650.00 TO REPAIR MY DASHBOARD, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THAT IT BE SENT TO THE FACTORY AND FHAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THE USE OF MY CAR FOR 2 TO 6 WEEKS. SINCE THE SPEEDOMETER IS A COMPONENT OF THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD, AND CERTAINLY RELATED TO VEHICLE SAFETY, I BELIEVE THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COST. IF NOT REQUIRED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL COST, GM SHOULD AT LEAST BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707904
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1999
Electrical System
HAVE MORE TO REPORT ON DEFECTS: 11/8/1997 TOWED AGAIN - LOST POWER - CAR STOPPED TOOK BACK FOR RECHK OF BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, THEN ON 11/20/1997 - ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, RAN TESTS ON BATTERY BOLT, REPLACED BATTER, REPLACED ALT & REPAIRES WIRES & INSTALL CONNECTORS ($311.45), 12/2/98 STALLED AGAIN LOST POWER, RAN TESTS, ALTERNATOR RE…
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HAVE MORE TO REPORT ON DEFECTS: 11/8/1997 TOWED AGAIN - LOST POWER - CAR STOPPED TOOK BACK FOR RECHK OF BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, THEN ON 11/20/1997 - ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, RAN TESTS ON BATTERY BOLT, REPLACED BATTER, REPLACED ALT & REPAIRES WIRES & INSTALL CONNECTORS ($311.45), 12/2/98 STALLED AGAIN LOST POWER, RAN TESTS, ALTERNATOR REPLACED ($150.04), CAR STALLED - LOST POWER ON 12/17/98 - RAN TESTS, BATTERY BAD, BATTERY REPLACED ($81.66). I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND CAR WILL STALL AGAIN!!! NOTICE FROM ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON 1990 PONTIAC CULASS SUPREMES THERE HAS TO BE SOME MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH ON OUR . . . IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING THE DRIVEWAY - WE DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TAKE IT. IF YOU TRADE IT IN - SOMEONE ELSE WILL INHERIT THE PROBLEMS. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR - SHE DROVE IT TO COLLEGE - THE MANY TIMES IT BROKE DOWN HAS CAUSED US TO NOT LET HER DRIVE IT ANY LONGER. SEVERAL TIMES SHE BROKE DOWN AT NIGHT - IN FRONT OF OTHER VEHICLES - COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT - PLUS WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT. THEN ONCE, ON WAY TO COLLEGE - BROKE DOWN - AND PROFESSOR WOULD NOT LET HER TAKE A TEST THAT SHE HAD STUDIED FOR. COST HER A GOOD GRADE. MY WIFE FINALLY TOOK OVER THE CAR - BROKE DOWN SEVERAL TIMES ON WAY TO WORK!! MANY TIMES FELT LIKE HER HEART WAS IN MY MOUTH. HAVE CALLED THE PONTIAC MANUFACTURER . . . SAID NO RECALLS OR COMPLAINTS . . . AS YOU WILL SEE FROM THE INTERNET - DOT HAD PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CAR FIXED PERFECTLY BY A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE TO US. THEN, WOULD PREFER TO TRADE CAR IN AT A FAIR PRICE. WILL NEVER - EVER BUY ANOTHER PONTAIC CUTLASS. WE HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS AT WORK THAT HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS REGARDING PONTIAC CUTLASS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT (OR, ALREADY HAS BEEN). PLEASE LET US HEAR!! WOULD PREFER TO JUST BE OFFERED A FAIR PRICE FOR THE CAR BY PONTIAC AND GET RIDE OF IT . . .I CON'T THINK PONTIAC CAN FIX!!!
NHTSA ODI #705733
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET CRACKED,TIMING GEAR FAILED,SEALS AND GASKETS FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #512350
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
DRIVER AND PASSGENER SEAT BELT AND REAR BACK SEAT DO NOT RETRACT. TT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, LEFT DOOR LOCK SWITCH OVERHEATS. DEFECTIVE RADIO, CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE, REAR SPEAKERS HAVE POOR CLARITY. ALARM INOPERABLE. DIMMER SWITCH MISALIGNED, TAIL LENS MISALIGNED, HIGH BEAM LAMP INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL LAMP BROKEN, CEN…
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DRIVER AND PASSGENER SEAT BELT AND REAR BACK SEAT DO NOT RETRACT. TT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, LEFT DOOR LOCK SWITCH OVERHEATS. DEFECTIVE RADIO, CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE, REAR SPEAKERS HAVE POOR CLARITY. ALARM INOPERABLE. DIMMER SWITCH MISALIGNED, TAIL LENS MISALIGNED, HIGH BEAM LAMP INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL LAMP BROKEN, CENTER BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL TRANSMITTERS INOPERABLE, TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT BLINK. TIMING COVER SEAL LEAK, OIL FITER DEFECTIVE, ENGINE STALLS, OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES, WATER PUMP FAILED, HARMONIC BALANCER CAME APART, COVER GASKET REPLACED. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK, STEERING WHEEL NOISY WHILE MAKING TURNS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: DEFECTIVE ECU, DEFECTIVE IGNITION, BATTERY FAILED, AND ALTERNATOR FAILED. GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK STICKS, LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE BROKE, BUTTON FELL OFF, HARNESS WOULD NOT RETRACT FOR LEFT OR RIGHT. DASH SEPARATED. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY. TRUNK LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER DOOR MOLDING LOOSE, DOOR TRIM LOOSE, PULL STRAP NOT SECURE. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET AND HANGER TOO CLOSE CAUSING NOISE. FUEL GAUGE READS LOW FUEL WHEN HALF TANK FULL. GRINDING BRAKES, POWER BRAKE BOOSTER BINDS, FRONT ROTOR REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID LEAK. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH AC AND HEATER. PARK BRAKE CAME APART. TIRE WEAR. SUNROOF INOPERABLE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WINDOW SWITCH DEFECTIVE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #974568
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1995
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
HAS HAD TO REPLACE DISC BRAKE PAD EVERY SIX MONTHS THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WEARING OUT FASTER THAN BACK BRAKES AND MANUFACTURER OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE. TT
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.
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
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.
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
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