1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

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1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:54:34.509Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1996: 47 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1987	3
1988	22
1989	23
1990	42
1994	51
1995	77
1996	47
1997	43

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 21%

21% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

INJURY

SERVICE BRAKES 21%

21% of complaints: service brakes — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%

19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER WHERE A FAULTY MODULE WAS REPLACED POSSIBLY RELATING TO THE RADIATOR HOUSING. CONSUMER CONTINUES TO RECEIVE RECALL O-00058S NOTICES AFTER THE DEALER SAID THEY DID THE RECALL WORK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020828

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REMOVED BY OWNER AND PLACED IN BACK OF OWNERS SUBURBAN TO TRANSPORT FOR EXCHANGE FOR NEW BATTERY AT WAL-MART. APPARENTLY THE BATTERY LEAKED DURING TRANSPORT AND WAS NOT DETECTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010118

BATTERY SMOKING - POSITIVE TERMINAL BURNED OFF BATTERY - BREATHED SMOKE

NHTSA ODI report, 19991202

STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19990831 — EA (closed 20011228)

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

R 20001229 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CORROSION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR'S INTERNAL WIRING, WHICH CAN OCCUR OVER TIME, COULD CAUSE THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG. THIS DEPLOY

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATORS ON THESE AIR BAGS.

Campaign 00V171000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030915 — EA (closed 20031218)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20040205 — steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004.

Campaign 03V527000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for air bags issues (10 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (10 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 00V171000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V527000 (steering) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.