VehicleVerdict

1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 42 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Cutlass Supreme year — the 1990 model ranks #5 of 12 Cutlass Supreme years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (29% of the total).

42

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

5

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Cutlass Supreme years?

Cutlass Supreme NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted113 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 25 complaints1989: 29 complaints1990: 42 complaints1994: 59 complaints1995: 113 complaints1996: 54 complaints1997: 62 complaints
Cutlass Supreme NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cutlass Supreme years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1229%
Electrical System819%
Brakes717%
Transmission37%
Engine37%
Lighting37%
Speed Control25%
Seat Belts25%
Seats12%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

00V189000Body & StructureJuly 11, 2000 · 713,435 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Consequence

IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON APR.12,1996,MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN SHE FELT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL SHE IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME AND ASKED ME TO CHECK ON IT. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE BLOCK NOTICEING THAT THE STEERING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. AS I DROVE FROM THE STOP SIGN, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AS IF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 12, 1996 · crash

“CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE TRUNK. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ANTENNA WIRES CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 3, 2004 · fire

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 18-20 MPH ON THE OFF RAMP. WHILE MERGING INTO HIGHWAY A NOISE CAME FROM DASH AREA, AND DASH FLICKERED AND WENT OUT ELECTRICALLY. THE NOISE AND FLICKER COINCIDED WITH LOSS OF BRAKES, UP TO APPROXIMATELY 15 SECONDS. THEN VEHICLE HYDROPLAINED AND STRUCK ANOTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 24, 1999 · crash

“THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING OIL AND IS CONTINUING TO DO SO. IT WON'T LEAK WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, BUT WILL ONCE THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. IT IS QUITE A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO MALFUNCTIONS AS THE ODOMETER HARDLY EVER WORKS AND WHEN IT DOES,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 1, 1998

“THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING OIL AND IS CONTINUING TO DO SO. IT WON'T LEAK WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, BUT WILL ONCE THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. IT IS QUITE A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO MALFUNCTIONS AS THE ODOMETER HARDLY EVER WORKS AND WHEN IT DOES,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 1998

1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme — common questions

Is the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 42 complaints put the 1990 model at #5 of 12 Cutlass Supreme years. It is one of the Cutlass Supreme years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Cutlass Supreme problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (12 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), brakes (7 complaints).

Does the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cutlass Supreme years to avoid are 1995, 1997, 1994, 1996, 1990. The cleanest record among Cutlass Supreme years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.