MYRModel Year Report

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass

● Typical for this model
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:05.655Z

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
123
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

21% 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 1989 1990: 103 complaints 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1995: 156 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 123 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 155 complaints 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 1991: 193 complaints 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 123 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 1991: 193 complaints 1991 1992: 136 complaints 1992 1993: 139 complaints 1993 1994: 148 complaints 1994 1995: 156 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1996 123 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints 1999

1996: 123 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

21% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Air bags

18% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that was involved on a front collision and the air bag exploded on her face causing phisical damage to the consumer. Dealer was not notified.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-09

Consumer was a passenger in the vehicle during an accident and was injured by the airbag.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-25

No deployment of air bag during collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-03-23

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Electrical system

12% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and front underhood.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving consumer smelled and then saw smoke coming from around the steering wheel. Consumer did not take the vehicle to be serviced, but since it did not happen again she left it alone.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-17

When driving at 30 to 40 MPH consumer noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment, pulled over, and the vehicle was on fire under the dash aera of the vehicle. Cause of the fire was determined as an electrical fire. The vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-06-24

Cadillac & 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. Consumer writes in regards to both vehicle sudden acceleration issues. *smd the consumer stated often, the engine would speed up randomly while idling or in park, as though he were traveling 50 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-09

Also filed under Engine and vehicle speed control

Power train

11% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.