VehicleVerdict

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Cutlass Supreme year — the 1996 model ranks #4 of 12 Cutlass Supreme years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (10), airbags (10), and engine (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

54

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Cutlass Supreme years?

Cutlass Supreme NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 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, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cutlass Supreme years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1019%
Airbags1019%
Engine917%
Electrical System815%
Steering59%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Speed Control24%
Body & Structure24%
Transmission24%
Fuel System12%
Seats12%
Suspension12%
Other12%

Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have recalls?

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

03V527000SteeringDecember 11, 2003 · 750,283 units

Defect

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 BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

00V171000AirbagsJuly 3, 2000 · 268,146 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CORROSION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR'S INTERNAL WIRING, WHICH CAN OCCUR OVER TIME, COULD CAUSE THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG. THIS DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR DURING VEHICLE START-UP, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IDLING, OR WHILE IN OPERATION.

Consequence

IF THE CONSUMER IS TOO CLOSE TO AN INFLATING AIR BAG, SERIOUS INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATORS ON THESE AIR BAGS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE SKIDDED UNDER HARD BRAKING (TO AVOID COLLISION); ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL AFTER 2 SECONDS OF SKIDDING. ABS ALSO ACTIVATES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING OVER BUMPY ROAD; STAYS ACTIVATED FOR 30 SECONDS. DEALER INSPECTED BRAKING AND ABS SYSTEMS; FOUND NO PROBLEMS, FOUND NO ERROR CODES IN ABS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 15, 1999

“NHTSA# 00V171000 & MFR'S# 00058/INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT: CONSUMER STATES DEALER (TERRY CAPITAL OLDSMOBILE CADILLAC SUBARU; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; PHONE# 231/947-9090) INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WAS DONE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags

“I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND ONE WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FIXED, DOOR MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, WINDSHIELD REPLACED 2 TIMES AND NOW THE COOLANT IS LEAKING ALONG WITH AN OIL VALVE AND THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. COST TO REPAIR THIS TIME IS ESTIMATED AT $1200”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2000

“VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING THAT THE BATTERY WAS DISCHARGING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN MA. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS I EXITED THE ROAD. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IN 4 YEARS. NO ICONS CAME ON TO WARN ME. FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE CAR STALLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 11, 2003

“WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT IT LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 15, 2003

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme — common questions

Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 1996 model at #4 of 12 Cutlass Supreme years. It is one of the Cutlass Supreme years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 Cutlass Supreme problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), airbags (10 complaints), engine (9 complaints).

Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 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 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.