Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 199 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.7 times the median Cutlass year — the 1995 model ranks #4 of 28 Cutlass years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (41), airbags (33), and electrical system (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
199
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
0
Investigations
15
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
17
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 41 | 21% | — flat |
| Airbags | 33 | 17% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 21 | 11% | — flat |
| Transmission | 18 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 12 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 5% | — flat |
| Engine | 10 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 8 | 4% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 8 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 7 | 4% | — flat |
| Lighting | 6 | 3% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 6 | 3% | — flat |
| Other | 5 | 3% | — flat |
| Steering | 4 | 2% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
4 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
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.
Defect
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT CAN OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.
Defect
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.
Consequence
THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“ORIGINAL TIRES ON 1995 OLDSMOBILE, CUTLASS, [VIN]. THERE WAS VERY HARD VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AND TIRES WERE STARTING TO WEAR OUT. *AK DOT # FOR FIRESTONE TIRES IS HYJ774A. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD BRAKES REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE VIBRATION, HOWEVER AFTER REPLACEMENT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VIBRATE.…”
“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 40-45 MPH WITH A 1985, FORD, MUSTANG. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK”
“INTERMITTENT SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL, HEADLIGHTS HIGH-BEAM STUCK ON, TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. REPEATEDLY MOVING HEADLIGHT DIMMER-LEVER SEEMED TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT PROBLEM. NOW UNABLE TO GET ANY HIGH-BEAMS, SMOKE COMES AND GOES, TURN-SIGNALS COME AND GO, HORN STOPPED WORKING…”
“THE FAULTY PROGRAMMABLE READ-ONLY MEMORY, PROM, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE UPON INITAL ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEED WITH A COLD ENGINE, THE OWNERS SON WROTE THIS COMPLAINT AND PURCHASED THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND NECESSARY PARTS FOR REPAIR AFTER SEVERAL…”
“WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY DURING ACCELERATION PEDAL WENT ALL WAY TO FLOOR. PULLED OFF ROAD, LOOKED UNDER HOOD, AND NOTICED A CABLE THAT WAS BROKEN. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 199 complaints put the 1995 model at #4 of 28 Cutlass years. It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (41 complaints), airbags (33 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
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.