VehicleVerdict

1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass carries two red flags at once: 151 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 6.6× the Cutlass norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 44% of all reports (66 of 151), far ahead of seat belts at 13.

151

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations · 1 open

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Cutlass years?

Cutlass NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 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, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cutlass years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6644%
Seat Belts139%
Electrical System139%
Engine96%
Body & Structure85%
Speed Control64%
Lighting64%
Other64%
Fuel System53%
Tires & Wheels43%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Seats32%
Steering32%
Transmission32%
Suspension21%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 1990 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.

91V005000Seat BeltsOctober 2, 1991 · 412,792 units

Defect

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence

WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

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.

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.

“THERE IS REAR BRAKE FAILURE SOMETIMES IT LOCKS UP WILL NOT RELEASE FULLY HAVE DISC BRAKE . TT REAR BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MECHANISM, EMERGENCY BRAKE MECHANISM WILL CLOSE ON THE ROTOR THEN NOT RELEASE FULLY, THE DRAG ON THE BRAKE ROTOR OF AN UNRELEASED CALIPER CAUSES OVERHEATING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 1992

“DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS STARTING TO CRACK WHERE RESTRAINT HARNESS IS MOUNTED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF RECALL 90V054 AND WENT TO HAVE WORK DONE, HOWEVER DEALER STATED THE CRACKING WHERE SEAT BELT MOUNT IS LOCATED WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DASHBOARD COMPONENTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS OR HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING/DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING DEFECT. MECHANIC TRIED TO PUT A BRAND NEW PART IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 17, 2004

“LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD STAY OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, DEALER STATED CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED THREE TIMES. THE THREE COILS AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILS TO START DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2001

“I WAS ON INTERNET AND FOUND A SECTION THAT HAD STATED A PAINT PEELING PROBLEM WITH OLDSMOBILES AND IT HAD STATED THAT THE GM MANUFACTURE WOULD FURNISH A FREE PAINT FOR THE CARS THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM.. THE CAR THAT I OWN IS A 1990 OLDSMOBILE CUT.SUP.IN.SED.4D. IF THIS IS A TRUE FACT COULD YOU PLEASE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass — common questions

Is the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 151 complaints put the 1990 model at #10 of 28 Cutlass years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Cutlass problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (66 complaints), seat belts (13 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints).

Does the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass. 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 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.