MYRModel Year Report

1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass

● Typical for this model
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:47:42.945Z

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

Complaints per year, Oldsmobile Cutlass Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 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 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 155 complaints 1998 1999: 80 complaints 1999
1997: 96 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 33%

33% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
STEERING 22%

22% of complaints: steering — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING STEERING JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040802

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS BUCKLED AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE STEERING LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN MARCH 2004 FOR A RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040504

VECHILE RECENTLY STARTED MAKING GROANING NOISE WHEN STEERING AND FROM POWER STEERING PUMP. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACE BACK IN 2011. TOOK TO GOODYEAR AND TECH INDICATED PUMP WAS FINE, PROBLEM POINT TO THE RACK AND PINION. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20140108

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control module and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND TOWED IT TO REPAIR SHOP, TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040712

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control arm and front.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20000222 — PE (closed 20000712)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

I 20000712 — EA (closed 20010306)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

R 20010814 — visibility

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DA

Campaign 01V068000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011114 — PE (closed 20020404)

STEERING RACK AND PINION

I 20020404 — EA (closed 20021210)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20040205 — steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004.

Campaign 03V527000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040707 — RQ (closed 20050113)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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

1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01V068000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V527000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 1999 ● 1990

WORST YEARS

◆ 1991 ● 1995 ● 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?

3 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.