MYRModel Year Report

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass

● Typical for this model
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:33.630Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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
113
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

47% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 16 complaints 1985: 18 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1988: 74 complaints 1989: 113 complaints 1989 113 1990: 103 complaints 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1995: 156 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 16 complaints 1984 1985: 18 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1988: 74 complaints 1989: 113 complaints 1989 113 1990: 103 complaints 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 16 complaints 1984 1985: 18 complaints 1985 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1987 1988: 74 complaints 1988 1989: 113 complaints 1989 113 1990: 103 complaints 1990 1991: 193 complaints 1991 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1993 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints 1999

1989: 113 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19813
19821
19835
198416
198518
198623
198716
198874
1989113
1990103
1991193
1992136
1993139
1994148
1995156
1996123
199796
1998155
199980

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

47% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Electrical system

19% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing module and ignition.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

1989 Cutlass calias. Consumer writes in regards to while traveling the steering wheel locked up and vehicle had no brakes. *smd the consumer stated her husband was not able to control the vehicle, and hit a median.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-15

When driving 70MPH a fire started in the rear right side of the vehicle, causing the consumer to pull over. Dealer has been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-20

Wiring harness under dash shorted out, causing fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-20

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 20 MPH the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. The vehicle was towed to the consumer's residence.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-28

Seat belts

10% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving at ten miles per hour vehicle was struck on the passenger's side by another vehicle that flipped the Cutlass on its side, causing the passenger's seat belt to release on impact, the seat belt did not work properly.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-07-28

Structure

8% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and support device/strut.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1989-08-10Equipment89V122000 The electronic air conditioning control may not function when starting car that has been parked for a few hours with ignition off.

    Remedy: Replace electronic comfort control assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1990-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-31 Failure stop lamp switch
  3. R
    1990-07-23Seat belts90V054000 Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.

    Remedy: Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1990-11-08Exterior lighting90V185000 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…

    Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1994-05-05Wheels94V041000 Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1994-08-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-21 Corroded rear disk brakes
  7. R
    1995-06-14Wheels95V115000 Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    1997-06-11Structure97V058000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    1997-10-02Recall queryOpen Cradle bolt failures
  10. I
    2000-04-10Engineering analysisClosed 2001-01-12 Engine cradle separation

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 53 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V122000 · Equipment
  • Recall 90V054000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90V185000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 94V041000 · Wheels
  • Recall 95V115000 · Wheels
  • Recall 97V058000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.