1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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
8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 16 distinct reports on file.
FIRE8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 16 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BUSHINGS RUSTED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20020917
7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
JACK FAILURE
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
Campaign 92V003000 — check if this car was fixed
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
Campaign 92V043000 — check if this car was fixed
STICKING THROTTLE
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
Campaign 92V124000 — check if this car was fixed
SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
Campaign 95V173000 — check if this car was fixed
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
CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
Campaign 00V189000 — check if this car was fixed
STRUCTURE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 92V003000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V043000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V124000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V173000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V058000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V189000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
8 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.