MYRModel Year Report

1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass

● Typical for this model
1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:23.340Z

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
103
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

60% 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 1990: 103 complaints 1990 103 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 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 1988 1989: 113 complaints 1990: 103 complaints 1990 103 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 1990: 103 complaints 1990 103 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

1990: 103 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

60% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Seat belts

13% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The passenger front seatbelt failed restrain occupant during collision. Please explain. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-26

Electrical system

12% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and module.

Show complaint excerpts

Consumer complained that dashboard components were not working properly. She could not tell how much fuel there was or how fast she was traveling/driving.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-17

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

Structure

8% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

Show complaint excerpts

Nar 1/29/2003. The consumer received a recall notice in March 2003 regarding the front frame /cradle bolt retainers. As per the recall letter they were replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-12-06

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1990-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-31 Failure stop lamp switch
  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. R
    1991-02-22Seat belts91V005000 Front shoulder safety belt webbing may separate at front belt upper guide loops on either side of the front seat.

    Remedy: Install a controlled rotation bracket on driver and passenger side front seat belt guide loops.

    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

1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V054000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90V185000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 91V005000 · Seat belts
  • 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 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 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.