1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems
The 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 117 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (22%) concerns electrical system. After that come brakes (19%) and tires (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 117 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 41 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 9 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 9 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 41 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 60,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 54,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 10th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the Oldsmobile Cutlass with enough data (67 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Dt: the contact stated while driving home from work the contact's husband fell asleep at the wheel. There was no collision with another vehicle. However, this vehicle hit a sign and a brick wall. It was a frontal impact, and the air bags did not deploy. Injuries were sustained. Seat belts were in use. The vehicle was totaled.
Consumer was in process of putting vehicle in park when engine started revving. Suddenly vehicle took off, causing consumer to go through a glass window. Vehicle was totaled. Consumer has someone coming out, not the dealer to inspect vehicle. 2 people were injured in accident. *slc
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact stated that while attempting to start the engine, the vehicle would not start and a burning odor was present inside the vehicle. The driver then noticed smoke emitting from the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty. The manufacturer was notified of the defect but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 170,000.
On april 26,2005 while driving in a residential neighborhood the front right spring broke and caused the tire to blow out, and consumer lost control of vehicle. The spring was replaced, front end aligned and the tire replaced. This could have been a very serious situation had I been driving at a higher rate of speed. The vehicle is a 1999 oldsmobile cutlass with apx. 42000 miles. I believe there should be a warning to other owners of this make and model automobile. Thank you, harold oliver
Engine overheating -- coolant leaking into engine. Intake mainfold gasket showed signs of failing at around 57,000 miles failed completely at 59,000 miles. Did some research on internet and found dozens of reports of similar problems with the 3.1 liter v-6 engine in this and similar GM models. Contacted oldsmobile customer service and was able to negotiate a 50/50 on the cost of repair.