1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass

● Typical for this model

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:39:11.461Z

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

1989: 113 complaints

View as data table

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

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 47%

47% of complaints: service brakes — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing module and ignition.

CRASH FIRE

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, 20140415

WHEN DRIVING 70MPH A FIRE STARTED IN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030820

WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950420

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH FIRE DEATH

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, 20040428

SEAT BELTS 10%

10% of complaints: seat belts — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH INJURY

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, 19990728

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and support device/strut.

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 issues (53 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (22 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (19 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.

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