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: 4 of 136 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reports
106,000 miles · Feb 2, 2006
Power TrainSeat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WILL SHOW NEUTRAL BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE IN REVERSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 91V214000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V173000, REGARDING THE FRONT S…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WILL SHOW NEUTRAL BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE IN REVERSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 91V214000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V173000, REGARDING THE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL AND THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN DOES NOT MATCH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10149309
135,000 miles · Jun 22, 2005
Electrical System
DT: PROBLEM BEGAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM WAS NOTICED WHILE IN MOTION. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERHEATING. THEN, LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE HORN. UPON INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A BA…
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DT: PROBLEM BEGAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM WAS NOTICED WHILE IN MOTION. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERHEATING. THEN, LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE HORN. UPON INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A BAD SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN ,AND THE WIRES WERE FRAYED. VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE SHOP. OWNER CONTACTED GM, AND PROVIDED HER VIN, WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10126258
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005
Electrical System
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1992 COMPUTER IN DASH MALFUNCTION. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING OR HOW MUCH GAS SHE HAD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113445
60,000 miles · Jan 13, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
1992 CUTLASS SUPREME EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE HAS BEEN NO VISIBLE SIGN OF AND OIL LEAK NOR DOES THE VEHICLE SMOKE WHILE DRIVING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128018
130,000 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Electrical System
MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR OCCURANCE. WOULD NOT RE-START. AFTER 6-8 DANGEROUS MINUTES STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR STARTED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE AND WAS REPAIRED. A SHORT TIME PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE …
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MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR OCCURANCE. WOULD NOT RE-START. AFTER 6-8 DANGEROUS MINUTES STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR STARTED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE AND WAS REPAIRED. A SHORT TIME PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF A SUDDEN POWER FAILURE AND STALLED CAR IN THE MIDST OF FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC. WHILE I REALIZE THAT 12-YEAR-OLD PARTS WILL FAIL DUE TO AGE, I WONDER IF A BACK-UP POWER SOURCE COULD NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE AT LEAST TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE CAR SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OR IS THE POSSIBILITY OF STALLING JUST A PRESUMED AND ACCEPTED HAZARD OF DRIVING? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080523
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE PER YEAR. CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO OR THREE TIMES. VEHICLE WILL NOT DO AN EMERGENCY STOP. IT TAKES A LONG DISTANCE TO STOP NORMALLY. THE ABS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MECHANICS SAY THIS IS COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065766
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2004
Equipment
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPOKES ON THE HUBS OR THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRES BECAUSE THE WRENCH PROVIDED FOR THE VEHICLE WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10055788
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2004
Steering
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT VEHICLE WENT TO THE RIGHT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED TO REPLACE THE LOWER PINION BEARING. DEALER STATED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059517
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
THE CONTROL PANEL FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THE BRIGHTNESS CHANGES WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. THE DIMMER CONTROL HAS NO AFFECT AND THE PANEL FLASHES BRIGHTLY AT NIGHT. THE GAS TANK RELEASES FUMES WHEN IT'S FILLED AND A SUCTION PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE TANK, CAUSING AIR SQUEAKS AT THE GAS TANK CAP. THE RIMS LEAK AND THE TIRES (WHIC…
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THE CONTROL PANEL FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THE BRIGHTNESS CHANGES WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. THE DIMMER CONTROL HAS NO AFFECT AND THE PANEL FLASHES BRIGHTLY AT NIGHT. THE GAS TANK RELEASES FUMES WHEN IT'S FILLED AND A SUCTION PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE TANK, CAUSING AIR SQUEAKS AT THE GAS TANK CAP. THE RIMS LEAK AND THE TIRES (WHICH ARE BRAND NEW) HAVE TO BE FILLED CONSTANTLY. THE HEATER BARELY BLOWS HARD ENOUGH AND THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. AN AUTO MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HIS 92 CUTLASS SUPREME HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I DIDN'T MENTION THE CONTROL PANEL TO HIM AND HE ASKED IF MINE WAS MALFUNCTIONING LIKE HIS WAS. THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER AS WELL, AND HAS TO BE TURNED TO THE LEFT EVEN ON A STRAIGHT ROAD TO KEEP THE TIRES STRAIGHT
NHTSA ODI #10070116
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical System
STARTER AND ALTERNATOR GOING BAD AND JUST REPLACED BATTERY IM TRYING TO FIND IF STARTERS OR ALTERNATORS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON AN 1992 OLDS. CUTLASS SUPREME SL. *CB
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
THE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE. THIS ACTUATION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TAILGATE RELEASE ACTUATES, THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN.UNRESTRAINED PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT AREA COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLEWHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE WITH A NEWLY REVISED MODULE TO PREVENT RANDOM ACTUATION.
THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.
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
2
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
PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure
Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year