Oldsmobile / Cutlass / 1996
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems
Owners have filed 160 complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 16.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 13.8%.
Complaints160
Crashes14
Fires5
Injuries16
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 16.3% · 26
Air bags 13.8% · 22
Engine and engine cooling 9.4% · 15
Electrical system 9.4% · 15
Power train 8.1% · 13
Vehicle speed control 6.3% · 10
Steering 5.0% · 8
Exterior lighting 4.4% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 14 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 16 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the Oldsmobile Cutlass in this data, 1996 draws comparatively few complaints; 1991 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 9 in the last three years against 5 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 115,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Ongoing problem with brake system. Whenever vehicle is at a parked position and sitting for a while, then when backing up the consumer can hear shot of air going through the system which causes a backward surge (almost as though the brake pedal would lock up) with no brake. Vehicle been in dealer shop on several occasion sand nothing could be found. Can nhtsa help in this matter. Service brakes, hydraulic
When the consumer applied the brakes, the abs failed, which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance. *Jb also, consumer would like to add that the front seat recliner mechanims do not lock into position and can allow for seat occupants to be thrown forward into the steering column, dash, windshield during a crash. Mjj Service brakes, hydraulic
While attempting to make a normal stop consumer noticed a grinding sound coming from the brakes. Also, in order to stop, excessive force had to be applied to the brake pedal. In many cases, vehicle had experienced extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Oldsmobile Cutlass years
1993 193 complaints · 29.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1994 200 complaints · 20.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 199 complaints · 20.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 161 complaints · 18.6% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 223 complaints · 21.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 117 complaints · 22.2% electrical system