MYRModel Year Report

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass

● Typical for this model
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:45:16.213Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Oldsmobile Cutlass Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 16 complaints 1985: 18 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 16 complaints 1988: 74 complaints 1989: 113 complaints 1989 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 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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE DEATH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 7 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 6 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19890810 — equipment

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.

Campaign 89V122000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900611 — PE (closed 19901031)

FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH

R 19900723 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 90V054000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19901108 — exterior lighting

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 CO

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

Campaign 90V185000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19940505 — wheels

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.

Campaign 94V041000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940812 — PE (closed 19941221)

CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES

R 19950614 — wheels

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.

Campaign 95V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970611 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Campaign 97V058000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19971002 — RQ (open)

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

I 20000410 — EA (closed 20010112)

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V122000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V054000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V185000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V041000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V115000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V058000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 1999 ● 1997

WORST YEARS

◆ 1991 ● 1995 ● 1998

See all years ranked →

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, hydraulic:foundation components:disc, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.