Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 161 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.0 times the median Cutlass year — the 1997 model ranks #8 of 28 Cutlass years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (35), steering (21), and electrical system (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
161
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
6
Investigations
9
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 35 | 22% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 21 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 20 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 16 | 10% | — flat |
| Suspension | 15 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 8 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 8 | 5% | — flat |
| Transmission | 7 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 6 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 6 | 4% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 6 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 3 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Other | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
3 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 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.
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.
Consequence
REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“DRIVING 65 MPH W/CRUISE CONTROL ON; VEHICLE STARTED DRIFTING LEFT, OFF ROAD, PUT BRAKES ON, BUT TO NO AVAIL; VEHICLE SPUN AROUND & WENT RIGHT; HIT POST; AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY; VEHICLE WENT UP POST THEN LANDED ON ROOF. *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING STEERING JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND TOWED IT TO REPAIR SHOP, TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SHORTED AND BURNED THE WIRE THROUGH THE COLUMN TO THE FUSE PANEL. *SC *JB”
“DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED OIL AND ANTIFREEZE DUE TO THE TYPE OF PLASTIC THAT WAS MANUFACTURED FOR THIS GASKET. THE GASKET HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE COST. *AK UPDATED 11/30/2005 - ALTHOUGH THE DEALER VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AS…”
“ DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEELS TURNED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT/CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, AND THE CONTROL ARM WERE EITHER BROKE OR DAMAGED. TO REPAIR…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 161 complaints put the 1997 model at #8 of 28 Cutlass years. It is one of the Cutlass years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (35 complaints), steering (21 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.