1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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.
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
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
41% of complaints: service brakes — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH INJURY18% of complaints: electrical system — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and alternator/generator/regulator.
FIRE11% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
STARTED VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR HOWEVER IT DID NOT ENGAGE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950505
7% of complaints: equipment — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air conditioner and labels.
Show complaint excerpts
1993 CUTLASS CIERA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR CONDITIONER CONVERSION KIT UPGRADE AND POWER STEERING ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DECLINED ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE AND MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180117
Also filed under STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR HAS A DECAL ON THE UNDERSIDE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. A FUSE IS IN THE BOX, WHERE IT INDICATED AN AIR BAG FUSE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130320
7% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and frame and members.
SAFETY TIMELINE
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.
Campaign 93V035000 — check if this car was fixed
THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Remedy: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
Campaign 93V121000 — check if this car was fixed
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINES CAN CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTING BRACKET OF THE FRAME SIDE RAIL. THE LINES CAN WEAR THROUGH RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF HALF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THE BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE INDENTATIONS WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 94V211000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (57 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (25 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 93V035000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 93V121000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V211000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V173000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
5 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.