1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › Cutlass › 1981
These records cover every 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Newest first.
"Tx" heavy duty wheels may have been manufactured with laminated steel. The wheel disc may fracture and the wheel and tire could partially or completely separate from the vehicle.
The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Both rear control arm attachment bolts will be replaced without charge.
Owner complaints
3 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer would like to know if there are places or a program for low income citizens to repair vehicle. *La consumer needs major engine work done on her vehicle. *ph
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine fire. (Ohio state police report) *dsh
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system · Structure › Body › Door · Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Rear passenger door sticks. *Sd
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake backing plate
Summary:gm IS conducting a voluntary recall campaign (85v-048)involving 2,136,826 vehicles. The recall IS limited to vehicles built atcertain assembly plants which, according to gm, overtorqued the brakepipe nut,thereby overstressing the wheel cylinder support area of thebacking plate.analysis:front brakes provide…
Summary:gm IS conducting a voluntary recall campaign (85v-048)involving 2,136,826 vehicles. The recall IS limited to vehicles built atcertain assembly plants which, according to gm, overtorqued the brakepipe nut,thereby overstressing the wheel cylinder support area of thebacking plate.analysis:front brakes provide sufficient braking for passenger carsin most non-emergency situations. All affected trucks are included inthe current recall.in most cases the problem IS discovered during brakemaintenance.the recall appears to cover those groups of cars with thehighest failure rates.status:analyzing gm ir response and new complaint data. Draft closingreport by 5/15/88.===
Every Oldsmobile Cutlass model year
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