1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Oldsmobile › Cutlass › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and MINI vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. the rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Brake stoplamps may not illuminate or, in some cases, stoplamps will not stay illuminated all the time when brakes are applied due to a faulty stoplamp switch. Also in vehicles equipped with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A trailing vehicle may not recognize a braking actionin time to respond appropriately. Also, cruise control will reengage uponrelease of the brake pedal and resume the set speed. In either case, it couldresult in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Install an improved design stoplamp switch.
Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Seat belt may not sustain loads required by fmvss 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.
Remedy
Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
The electronic air conditioning control may not function when starting car that has been parked for a few hours with ignition off.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Windshield may not defrost and car would not conformwith fmvss 103.
Remedy
Replace electronic comfort control assembly.
Owner complaints
113 complaints6 involved a crash5 involved a fire10 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
1989 cutlass calias. consumer writes in regards to while traveling the steering wheel locked up and vehicle had no brakes. *smd the consumer stated her husband was not able to control the vehicle, and hit a median. The consumer wasn't driving very fast. the consumer no longer owns the vehicle. *Jb
- Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 1989 oldsmobile cutlass. the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid and the steering was difficult to turn. the contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and paid to have it repaired. once he left the mechanic, the failure recurred. he IS planning to return to the state certified mechanic. the vin was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 200,000.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving 20 mph the vehicle stalled. the consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. the vehicle was towed to the consumer's residence. *ak the light device flashed red/green before going dead on a steep hill and or dangerous curve. the steering locked and the brakes went out, then the vehicle went down a steep embankment through a fence. *sc *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Ltr fm sebastian scollo (ct) request assistance in his attempts to be reimbursed for brake repairs on his 1989 gm oldsmobile cutlass supreme.*mr consumer IS asking to be reimbursed for brake repairs.*ts *jb
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
When driving 70mph a fire started in the rear right side of the vehicle, causing the consumer to pull over. Dealer has been notified. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
Rear brakes lock up while driving causing an accident. dealer notified. *akthis defect happens once every year. *jg
- Structure › Frame and members
Right side of subframe dropped while traveling on highway. dealership IS aware of problem.*ak
- Tires · Wheels · Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
While in motion, consumer heard a thumping noise, assuming a tire had gone flat, pulled over to check but nothing was found. a few minutes later, there was a loud explosion, fighting to keep vehicle in control, consumer managed to get over, finding the wheel, tire and lug nuts had come completely off of vehicle. (ohio traffic crash report) *jg
- Structure
Prior to recall (97v-058) while the vehicle was in motion the frame cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. *yh
- Structure
Nhtsa recall 00 v 189 000/ manufacturer's recall 00065-s/crable bolts: dealer: king orourke cadillac oldsmobile; lynbrook,ny; phone# 516/593-6420 refused to honor recall because structure around cradle bolts have severely rusted out. dealer wanted to charge consumer to replace that structure before recall repairs could be done. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Recall was not done properly. Repairs still under warranty. However dealership district manager refuses to repair car. Contacted general motors and they tried to get the dealership to repair. Manager IS stating that yes the recall states that the bolts can pull through the frame but says that the…
Recall was not done properly. Repairs still under warranty. However dealership district manager refuses to repair car. Contacted general motors and they tried to get the dealership to repair. Manager IS stating that yes the recall states that the bolts can pull through the frame but says that the frame pulled from the bolts. Copy of paper from same dealership states that the bolts pulled through the frame. Dealership made me drive car off of their lot in an undrivable condition without advising me that it could not be driven. General motors suggested that I contact you regarding this matter. They also agree that this problem IS the reason for the recall. Now the engine has tilted to the side of the right frame and earl olsmobile refuses to try to repair the recall on warrented parts.*ak
- Tires › Sidewall
Carry 35 lbs. Pressure, tire had slow leak, took to dealer, leak in sidewall of tire, had never ran tire low, was on right rear, so did not hit curb or anything else in road. tire was defective.*ak (dot number: amn509 tiresize: 18575r14)
- Tires
Left rear firestone tire, p185/75r14 m+s, experienced blowout while driving, consumer was able to keep control, consumer paid full price for another replacement tire. *et
- Fuel system, gasoline
The fuel system/tank failed resulting in fire, causing several injuries. nlm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Consumer was traveling 25mph on a side street and saw smoke coming from steering column. brake lights and turn signals went out. Was able to pull over to shoulders. Popped hood, and saw fire coming from underneath. *Ak consumer states steering column IS the component that failed. *slc
- Structure
Cradle bolts rotted out and motor dropped to the ground, lost all control of steering, driver was pulling into a parking spot when this happened, vehicle recalled for same problem (00v-189), owner would like to be reimbursed for repairs made to vehicle. cj
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Accidental fire in parked running car in outside lot, toxic fire caused carbon monoxide in passenger compartment from engine, occupant aquired burns on 27% of his body (attorney for client, client deceased).
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brake pad and rotors resurfaced, the rear brakes were just replaced approximately a year ago. *cj
- Structure
Had received recall 00v189000/ engine cradle bolts & contacted dealership, and took vehicle for recall repairs. vehicle was repaired. Later in the day, problem with cradle bolts reappeared. Contacted dealership & was informed by mechanic that cradle bolts would be repaired, but not responsible for damage done to motor. *ak
- Tires
Due to information heard about tires consumer was checking them & noticed all 4 tires had cracks in the sidewall. 2 front tires had cracks on inside of the tread.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
Engine just turns off while driving...several times at high speeds...looses steering, brakes...several near collisions. Dealers & repair shops can never duplicate or identify a problem
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
When vehicle IS turned off it may not start again like the battery has no charge, the heater coil module have been changed but still seems to happen. *Et
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
The firestone tires on the vehicle have experienced failures, the tire peeled off tread causing the vehicle to skid off the road, injury to consumer. *mjs
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Front motor mounts failed due to corrosion resulting in total loss of control when steering shaft disengaged. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine cradle separation
The engine cradle front bolts and/or retainers may fail, allowing the front of the engine cradle to fall, possibly separating the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear, with complete loss of steering control
- Cradle bolt failures
There is no summary currently available
- Corroded rear disk brakes
There is no summary currently available
- Failure stop lamp switch
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 39080Rear strut related thumping/squeaking noise.
- 39072ABS warning light IS on.
- 37955ABS wire harness for the right front wheel may rub on the brake line causing the ABS warning light to come on.
Every Oldsmobile Cutlass model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.