VehicleVerdict

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass carries two red flags at once: 164 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 7.1× the Cutlass norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 10 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 58 reports (35% of the total).

164

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations · 1 open

6

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

10

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Cutlass years?

Cutlass NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted266 complaints1967: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 3 complaints1977: 4 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 3 complaints1981: 8 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 24 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 31 complaints1987: 22 complaints1988: 107 complaints1989: 164 complaints1990: 151 complaints1991: 266 complaints1992: 182 complaints1993: 193 complaints1994: 200 complaints1995: 199 complaints1996: 160 complaints1997: 161 complaints1998: 223 complaints1999: 117 complaints
Cutlass NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cutlass years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes5835%
Electrical System2213%
Engine1912%
Seat Belts117%
Body & Structure106%
Steering95%
Tires & Wheels85%
Suspension85%
Fuel System42%
Speed Control42%
Transmission32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Latches & Locks21%
Lighting21%
Seats11%
Other11%

Does the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass have recalls?

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

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

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 RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

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.

95V115000Tires & WheelsJune 5, 1995 · 22,361 units

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

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.

94V041000Tires & WheelsMarch 28, 1995 · 198,163 units

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

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.

90V185000LightingOctober 16, 1990 · 476,422 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

90V054000Seat BeltsMarch 14, 1990 · 673,000 units

Defect

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence

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.

89V122000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)July 24, 1989 · 5,459 units

Defect

THE ELECTRONIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN STARTING CAR THAT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS WITH IGNITION OFF.

Consequence

WINDSHIELD MAY NOT DEFROST AND CAR WOULD NOT CONFORMWITH FMVSS 103.

Remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC COMFORT CONTROL ASSEMBLY.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE REAR BRAKES OF THE CAR DO NOT WORK. TT CONSUMER STATES CALIPERS SEIZE AND CAUSE SMOKE AND ODOR, ROTORS RUST, BECAUSE OF FAULTY REAR BRAKES THERE IS MUCH STRESS TO THE FRONT BRAKES, CONSUMER HAS TO CLEAN AND LUBRICATE SLIDES EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS AND REPLACE SLIDES, ROTORS, PADS, AND CALIPERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 29, 1995

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2014 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 25, 2004 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT TEN MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT FLIPPED THE CUTLASS ON ITS SIDE, CAUSING THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT TO RELEASE ON IMPACT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 1, 1997 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 8, 2000

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass — common questions

Is the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 164 complaints put the 1989 model at #7 of 28 Cutlass years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid.

What are the most common 1989 Cutlass problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (58 complaints), electrical system (22 complaints), engine (19 complaints).

Does the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Oldsmobile Cutlass years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cutlass years to avoid are 1991, 1998, 1994, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1997, 1996, 1990, 1999, 1988. The cleanest record among Cutlass years belongs to 1978.

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.