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1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass SupremeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 47 owner complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Cutlass Supreme median · #2 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints475 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem10Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 17, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme has problems

47 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags101
Service brakes, hydraulic90
Electrical system82
Engine and engine cooling80
Steering50
Power train20
Structure20
Vehicle speed control21
Visibility20
3 other systems31

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 03V-527 · Dec 11, 2003 · 750,283 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Cutlass Supreme year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cutlass Supreme median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'94'95'96'97
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme safety ratings

1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILUREEA03019 · closed Dec 18, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-527
  2. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEA99026 · closed Dec 28, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-171
  3. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURERQ03001 · closed Sep 15, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cutlass Supreme owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

NHTSA# 00V171000 & MFR'S# 00058/INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT: CONSUMER STATES DEALER (TERRY CAPITAL OLDSMOBILE CADILLAC SUBARU; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; PHONE# 231/947-9090) INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WAS DONE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR…
Complaint 8006242 · Mar 22, 2002
AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN CONSUMER TURNED IGNITION ON. SHE RECEIVED NECK AND BACK INJURIES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Complaint 892971 · Jul 17, 2001
I RECIEVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM OLDSMOBILE STATING THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG COULD POSSIBLY DEPLY FOR NO REASON. THEY ALSO STATED IT WOULD TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS TO GET THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS. I WROTE TO THEM REQUESTING THAT SOMETHING BE DONE MORE QUICKLY AS I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS…
Complaint 729238 · Aug 26, 2000

Own a 1996 Cutlass Supreme?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.