1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems & reliability
193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
10 complaints report injuries (14 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 60 | 31% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 30 | 16% |
| Seat Belts | 26 | 13% |
| Electrical System | 23 | 12% |
| Structure | 20 | 10% |
| Steering | 17 | 9% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 6% |
| Visibility | 9 | 5% |
| Seats | 8 | 4% |
| Power Train | 7 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. The contact was traveling 50 mph when the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard abnormally. The brakes were engaged but the vehicle did not respond. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated to 85 mph before the contact turned the vehicle off…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Apr 25, 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 oldsmobile ciera. The contact was concerned about a recall campaign number is 95v173000, seat belts front, anchorage on his year, make and model vehicle. The, contact had not had any problems with the seat belt, but was concerned that it could fail in the event of a crash. The failure and…”
Seat Belts · filed Nov 23, 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 oldsmobile cutlass ciera. The contact took his vehicle to be inspected by a dealer because he was experiencing failure with the wheel bearings. He was informed that the motor mount was loose. The vehicle was repaired and the contact was later informed of nhtsa campaign id number 00v189000…”
Structure · filed May 13, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- STRUCTURE
Investigation RP01001 · opened Nov 28, 2001 · closed Jun 13, 2002 · led to recall 00V189000
- ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
Engineering Analysis EA00011 · opened Apr 10, 2000 · closed Jan 12, 2001 · led to recall 00V189000
- CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
Recall Query RQ97017 · opened Oct 2, 1997 · open · led to recall 97V058000
- CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
Preliminary Evaluation PE94063 · opened Aug 12, 1994 · closed Dec 21, 1994
- SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE94048 · opened Jun 21, 1994 · closed Dec 30, 1994
- STICKING THROTTLE
Engineering Analysis EA92024 · opened Jun 26, 1992 · closed Jan 31, 1994
- JACK FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA91049 · opened Nov 26, 1991 · closed Oct 28, 1992
- STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE91072 · opened May 1, 1991 · closed Jul 8, 1991
Technical service bulletins
17 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The 10 most recent:
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as intermittent or hard failures. Gm voicemail express. *tt
04152004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 15, 2004
Anti-lock braking system (abs) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness. *tt
00966 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Abs front wheel speed codes - jumper harness. *tt
00966B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies. **mr
000524001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2000
Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension. *tt
990309004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Some v6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil…
876002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1998
Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc
970801735026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure). *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Excessive oil consumption (replace pcv harness). *tw
676001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.