Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
The 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass carries two red flags at once: 266 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 11.6× the Cutlass norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 78 reports (29% of the total).
266
NHTSA complaints
8
Recalls
8
Investigations · 1 open
13
Crash-involved
11
Fires reported
14
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 78 | 29% | — flat |
| Engine | 34 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 29 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 25 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 21 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 18 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 13 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 9 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 8 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 7 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 6 | 2% | — flat |
| Other | 5 | 2% | — flat |
| Lighting | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 0% | ▼ down |
8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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).
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.
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.
Defect
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
Defect
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence
THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy
REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
Defect
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Consequence
THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Remedy
REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
Defect
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Consequence
THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
RQ97017
CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
There is no summary currently available
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE REAR CALIPERS FAILED FOR THE ORIGIONAL OWNER, THEY WERE REPLACED AT ORIGIONAL DEALER, THEY AGAIN FAILED SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE REPLACED THEM TWICE. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN, THEY DON`T ADJUST EVENLY OR THE SAME EACH TIME YOU SET THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE CALLED GENERAL MOTORS…”
“FRONT ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT OPEN RIGHT AWAY, WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE THE DRIVER MANAGED TO GET LOOSE AND CLIMB TO THE REAR OT THE VEHICLE AND FORCE THE REAR DOOR OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, WHILE OTHER PEOPLE TRIED TO OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. RESULTING IN INJURIES TO…”
“FRONT ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT OPEN RIGHT AWAY, WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE THE DRIVER MANAGED TO GET LOOSE AND CLIMB TO THE REAR OT THE VEHICLE AND FORCE THE REAR DOOR OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, WHILE OTHER PEOPLE TRIED TO OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. RESULTING IN INJURIES TO…”
“VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK”
“THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND STEERING COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. OWNER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 97V-058000 DUE TO MILEAGE. OWNER CLAIMED NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. VEHICLE WA SINVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND INCURRED DAMAGE. COMPLAINT LISTED UNDER…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 266 complaints put the 1991 model at #1 of 28 Cutlass years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (78 complaints), engine (34 complaints), seat belts (29 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Yes — an investigation remains open (CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.