U.S. public vehicle records

1995 Oldsmobile CUTLASS SUPREME problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

77 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

103,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1995 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 77 complaints (29.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	19	24.7%
Transmission and shifting	7	9.1%
Electrical and battery issues	6	7.8%
Steering behavior	5	6.5%
Engine operation	3	3.9%
Fuel system concerns	1	1.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags:Frontal

Air Bags

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Air Bags:Frontal	23
Air Bags	12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	10
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor	4
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	3
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2

Air Bags:Frontal: 23; Air Bags: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 72 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

1997: 1; 1998: 6; 1999: 15; 2000: 23; 2001: 19; 2002: 6; 2003: 2; 2004: 5

Pattern summary

Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 544047 · 1999-02-24 (February 24, 1999)

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A NUT THAT HAD LOOSENED THAT HOLDS A GEAR SYSTEM IN PLACE, THAT OPENS AND CLOSES A HYDRALIC VALVE SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS THE ABS TO WORK.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 544047 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 553641 · 2000-08-11 (August 11, 2000)

FAULTY WIRING CAUSES SMOKE TO TRAIL THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK, ALSO WHEN USING THE PASS KEY IN HOT WEATHER THE CAR WILL NOT START. NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 553641 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 530094 · 1998-02-06 (February 6, 1998)

TRANS AXLE AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 530094 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 543980 · 1999-02-19 (February 19, 1999)

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 543980 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10057835 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THREE DAYS LATER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *MR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057835 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10054096 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN TURNING CORNERS POWER STEERING FAILED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO STRUGGLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE TURN WAS MADE, A FEW SECONDS LATER, POWER STEERING RESUMED. *AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054096 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10054302 · 2004-01-16 (January 16, 2004)

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS. SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER ASSIST WHILE TURNING LEFT CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENT. CAR WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD INTO A BRICK RETAINING WALL CAUSING OVER $3,000 DAMAGE TO THE CAR PLUS $350 DAMAGE TO THE WALL. AFTER TOWING CAR HOME, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO "NORMAL" OPERATION. POLICE REPORT INDICATES COMPLAINT OF SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING CAUSING STEERING TO FEEL AS IF IT WERE LOCKED IN POSITION. CAR IS JUST NOW REPAIRED AND DRIVABLE. THIS IS SEEMINGLY IDE…

Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054302 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 735475 · 2000-10-30 (October 30, 2000)

MY CAR HAD A LOSS OF POWER WHEN IT REACHED NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND GOING ON HIGHWAY SPEEDS. YOU HAD TO PUT THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE MAT IN ORDER TO KEEP GOING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE MOTOR. THEY REPLACED THE THERSMOSTAT AND FLUSHED THE RADIATOR BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX THE CAR. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE CATALIC CONVERTOR BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT EITHER. THE NEXT STEP WAS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TESTED. THAT DID IT, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE RE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735475 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 896948 · 2001-09-27 (September 27, 2001)

WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE TO THE POINT WHERE VEHICLE CAN LOSE CONTROL IF IN THE RAIN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER NOTED THAT FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER PERFORMED AN INJECTOR SERVICE, THROTTLE BODY SERVICE, ADDED AN ADATIVE TO CLEAN THE VALVES, REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, WIRES, PLUGS, RELAY, AND THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 896948 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

77 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

6.5%Usable mileage5 / 77 records

75.3%Valid incident date58 / 77 records

100.0%Valid filing date77 / 77 records

75.3%Ordered incident and filing dates58 / 77 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1987	1988	1989	1990	1994	1995	1996	1997
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	49.3% ODI 10089986 WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CUT TO FOREHEAD AND BRUISES TO THE KNEES WHEN COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE AIR BAG. *AK Look up ODI 10089986 at NHTSA ↗	2329.9% ODI 10027051 · 108,000 mi CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES AS IT TRAVELED DOWN A STEEP ROCK AND SHRUB COVERED EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BOULDER WHERE IT CAME TO REST ON ITS ROOF. (ARTHUR BLANKEMAN ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER TERRY GELLER) ( TIRE MAKE/MODEL, SPECTRUM STARFIRE, SIZE 215/65 R16) ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB Look up ODI 10027051 at NHTSA ↗	817.0% ODI 553174 MANUFACTURE'S RECALL CAN NOT BE COMPLETED ON THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. *ET Look up ODI 553174 at NHTSA ↗	24.7% ODI 10038571 THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAD DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB Look up ODI 10038571 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	28.7% ODI 813218 DRIVING VEHICLE 40MPH; ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON; APPLIED BRAKES WHICH FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE; TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED OIL LEAKAGE IN POWER MASTER UNIT THAT CAUSED FAILURE OF ABS & WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. Look up ODI 813218 at NHTSA ↗	410.5% ODI 546102 POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW MAY HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN COLLISION. HOWEVER OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY, ABS FAILURE. *YC Look up ODI 546102 at NHTSA ↗	818.6% ODI 706292 BRAKE LIGHTS ONLY WORK WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED...ABS DOES NOT WORK, LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON...HAZARD LIGHTS ONLY WORK IN THE REAR...ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS HAD ON GOING PROBLEMS SINCE THE WIPER/CRUISE CONTROL RECALL Look up ODI 706292 at NHTSA ↗	1013.0% ODI 544047 ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A NUT THAT HAD LOOSENED THAT HOLDS A GEAR SYSTEM IN PLACE, THAT OPENS AND CLOSES A HYDRALIC VALVE SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS THE ABS TO WORK. Look up ODI 544047 at NHTSA ↗	612.8% ODI 705656 VEHICLE SKIDDED UNDER HARD BRAKING (TO AVOID COLLISION); ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL AFTER 2 SECONDS OF SKIDDING. ABS ALSO ACTIVATES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING OVER BUMPY ROAD; STAYS ACTIVATED FOR 30 SECONDS. DEALER INSPECTED BRAKING AND ABS SYSTEMS; FOUND NO PROBLEMS, FOUND NO ERROR CODES IN ABS COMPUTER. NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN BY DEALER. Look up ODI 705656 at NHTSA ↗	49.3% ODI 10062627 WHEN BRAKING AND DRIVING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, WAS DETERMINED THAT REAR CALIPER SLIDES WERE FROZEN AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK Look up ODI 10062627 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Frame And Members	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	313.6% ODI 529383 RECALL WORK ON THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS CAN NOT BE DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. Look up ODI 529383 at NHTSA ↗	521.7% ODI 10014792 THIS WAS PERFORMED REGARDING THE CRADLE BOLTS ON 10/24/02. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR AN ALIGNMENT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS ROTTED AND CORRODED. JB...AK Look up ODI 10014792 at NHTSA ↗	513.2% ODI 10015199 ENGINE FELL OUT OF VEHICLE. MR (NOTE: EXEC SEC CONTROLLED A CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING MR. GRANT'S VEHICLE - SEE ODI REFERENCE NO. 10012283, CCMMERCURY NO. ES03-001972). THE REPLACED THE FRONT FRAME /CRADLE BOLTS UNDER RECALL, HOWEVER ON DEC 12, 2002 THE REAR FRAME/ CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINER SEPARATED. *JB Look up ODI 10015199 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.3% ODI 879562 CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40-45MPH WHEN VEHICLE WANDERED TO THE LEFT 3-4 FEET INTO OTHER LANE, DEALER FOUND A BROKEN WELD ON THE LOWER SUB FRAME CRADLE THAT CONNECTS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TO FRAME, THE BROKEN WLED CAUSED THE STEERING MOUNTING BUSHINGS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. *SLC Look up ODI 879562 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1215.6% ODI 10034307 WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY.*AK Look up ODI 10034307 at NHTSA ↗	12.1% ODI 729238 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 SAFETY DEFECT. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN AND NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I DON'T HAVE AN ALTERNATE VEHICLE AND DO A LOT OF TRAVELING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS TO ME AND MY FAMILY BUT ALL THE OTHER INDIVIDUALS … Look up ODI 729238 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.3% ODI 10126494 · 120,000 mi DT:CONSUMER WAS CLIMBING A HILL AT 5% GRADE FIVE MILES LONG ON FREEWAY WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN FROM OVERDRIVE TO SECOND GEAR AND LOCKED IN SECOND. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT COME OUT OF SECOND GEAR. CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AFTER THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT GO TO FIRST GEAR, SO TRYING TO PULL OUT IN SECOND GEAR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. CONSUMER SAYS TRANSMISSION WENT OUT LIKE THIS THREE TIMES. FIRST TWO TIMES ON AN UPWARD GRADE, THE THIRD TIME WAS ON A FLAT. THE FIRST TWO TI… Look up ODI 10126494 at NHTSA ↗	12.6% ODI 705560 THE TRANMISSION HAS A PROBLEM WITH UP-SHIFT IN MODERATE ACCELERATION. HAVE TO FULLY DECELERATE FOR THE UP-SHIFT TO TAKR PLACE ASK DEALERS EOR SOLUTION NO RESPONDS Look up ODI 705560 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	810.4% ODI 543980 TRANSMISSION FAILED. Look up ODI 543980 at NHTSA ↗	24.3% ODI 719881 I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND ONE WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FIXED, DOOR MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, WINDSHIELD REPLACED 2 TIMES AND NOW THE COOLANT IS LEAKING ALONG WITH AN OIL VALVE AND THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. COST TO REPAIR THIS TIME IS ESTIMATED AT $1200 Look up ODI 719881 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 10059847 · 45,000 mi RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS AUTHORIZED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A LEAKING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE RECALL WORK COULD BE DONE. REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION WAS PART OF THE RECALLED PROBLEM. DEALER CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION. AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAD TO BE REPLACED JB Look up ODI 10059847 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	37.0% ODI 507279 BRAKE CALIPER DESIGNED W/BRASS INSTEAD OF STAINLESS STEEL, CAUSING SLIDES TO HEAT UP/ BRAKES TO FAIL AND ROTORS TO WARP. *DH Look up ODI 507279 at NHTSA ↗	45.2% ODI 782045 THE BRAKE ROTORS "WARPED" ON TWO OCCASIONS CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO MALFUNCTION. THEY BOTH WHERE REPLACED 9-26-97 & 8-13-99. Look up ODI 782045 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	614.0% ODI 10062627 WHEN BRAKING AND DRIVING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, WAS DETERMINED THAT REAR CALIPER SLIDES WERE FROZEN AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK Look up ODI 10062627 at NHTSA ↗
Structure	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	313.6% ODI 560662 THE CRABLE BOLTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-189 CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT THE MANUFACTURER ONLY CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE OF THE CRADLE BOLTS AND THE LABOR, NOT THE DAMAGE CAUSED WHEN THE BOLTS FAILED. NLM Look up ODI 560662 at NHTSA ↗	313.0% ODI 10139894 THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF CONSUMER 1989 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. TS THE CRADLE FELL DROPPING THE ENGINE DUE TO CONDENSATION FORMING BETWEEN THE RUBBER MOUNTING SUPPORTS AND THE METAL FRAMEWORK. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. JB Look up ODI 10139894 at NHTSA ↗	718.4% ODI 10011431 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT AND REAR CRADLE BOLT RETAINER, HOWEVER THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE FRONT CRADLE BOLTS. AK JB Look up ODI 10011431 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	29.1% ODI 10184457 · 65,800 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH,THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE AND HAD TO APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE THE SPEED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,800. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CALIPER WAS NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,400.AK THE CALIPERS WERE CORRODED. UPDATED 04/05/07. JB Look up ODI 10184457 at NHTSA ↗	14.3% ODI 829983 STRUT MOUNT & PLATE BROKE. BRAKES, CALIPERS, PADS, ROTORS, AND STRUTS WERE DESTROYED BY THIS OCCURRENCE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MECHANIC MANUAL SAID THAT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE DAILY TO MAKE THE CALIPERS FUNCTIONAL WAS A NECESSITY, OWNER UNAWARE OF THIS. AK ML Look up ODI 829983 at NHTSA ↗	12.6% ODI 743820 THE REAR RIGHT AND LEFT BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE BOTH FAILED..THE LEFT ONE WAS COMPLETED REPLACED BACK IN 1993 DUE TO COMPLETE LOCK UP.THE RIGHT BRAKE AT THE TIME WAS OK. THEN THIS MONTH I HAD A BRAKE FAILURE IN MY DRIVEWAY..I KEPT TRYING TO MAKE THE PARKING BRAKE WORK FOR NMONTHS AND IT NEVER DID. THEN WHEN I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF TO LOOKS A THE BRAKES THE LEFT BRAKE HAD BURNED UP THE OUTBOARD SHOE ONLY AND NOT THE INBOARD SHOE..THIS CHEWED UP THE ROTOR. THE RIGHT SIDE HAD BEEN DOING NOTHING..THE SHOES STILL LOOKED NEW EXCEPT FOR DIRT..THE PUCKS HAD S… Look up ODI 743820 at NHTSA ↗	37.0% ODI 507279 BRAKE CALIPER DESIGNED W/BRASS INSTEAD OF STAINLESS STEEL, CAUSING SLIDES TO HEAT UP/ BRAKES TO FAIL AND ROTORS TO WARP. *DH Look up ODI 507279 at NHTSA ↗	22.6% ODI 836628 THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK Look up ODI 836628 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	24.7% ODI 10062627 WHEN BRAKING AND DRIVING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, WAS DETERMINED THAT REAR CALIPER SLIDES WERE FROZEN AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK Look up ODI 10062627 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	108,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10027051 · 108,000 mi CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES AS IT TRAVELED DOWN A STEEP ROCK AND SHRUB COVERED EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BOULDER WHERE IT CAME TO REST ON ITS ROOF. (ARTHUR BLANKEMAN ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER TERRY GELLER) ( TIRE MAKE/MODEL, SPECTRUM STARFIRE, SIZE 215/65 R16) ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB Look up ODI 10027051 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1996: 8 complaints · 1997: 18 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1996	3	3	8
1997	5	11	18

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1996	34	12	1
1997	34	9	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags:Frontal	Air Bags	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor	Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Air Bags:Frontal	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 878917 CONSUMER HAS TO ADD 2QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. PROBLEM HAS BEEN SINCE VEHICLE HAD 10,000 MILES. CONSUMER WAS AT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS GIVEN A TSB (87-60-03) REGARDING LOWER INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS SAYING THAT CONSUMER HAD TO SPEND $600 TO REPAIR PROBLEM. OLDSMOBILE WILL BE CONTACTED TO EXPLAIN REASON OF LETTER, AND WHY CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT. *AK IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED DUE TO SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE SWITCH AND LEFT FRONT WHELL SPEED SENSO… Look up ODI 878917 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	0	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10057835 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THREE DAYS LATER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. AK MR Look up ODI 10057835 at NHTSA ↗	0
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10057835 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THREE DAYS LATER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. AK MR Look up ODI 10057835 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	1 ODI 878917 CONSUMER HAS TO ADD 2QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. PROBLEM HAS BEEN SINCE VEHICLE HAD 10,000 MILES. CONSUMER WAS AT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS GIVEN A TSB (87-60-03) REGARDING LOWER INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS SAYING THAT CONSUMER HAD TO SPEND $600 TO REPAIR PROBLEM. OLDSMOBILE WILL BE CONTACTED TO EXPLAIN REASON OF LETTER, AND WHY CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT. *AK IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED DUE TO SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE SWITCH AND LEFT FRONT WHELL SPEED SENSO… Look up ODI 878917 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 6.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 103,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10054302 · 103,000 mi

Look up ODI 10054302 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 710441

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOURS. TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND LOST POWER. CAN ONLY DRIVE AT AROUND 20 MPH WHILE OTHER CARS FOLLOWING WERE AT 45-50 MPH. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT CAUSED. BROUGHT CAR TO ROYAL OLDS AND LATER WAS INFORMED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION WAS DISASSEMBLED AND FOUND THE REVERSE REACTION DRUM CAME LOOSE. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE REPAIR IS $1,900 BUT ROYAL OLDS ADVISED THAT MANUFACTURER IS WILLING TO SUBSIDIZE $1,200 AND I PAY THE BALANCE…

Look up ODI 710441 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 735475

Look up ODI 735475 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

4 mentions · 5.2% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 544047

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A NUT THAT HAD LOOSENED THAT HOLDS A GEAR SYSTEM IN PLACE, THAT OPENS AND CLOSES A HYDRALIC VALVE SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS THE ABS TO WORK.

Look up ODI 544047 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 710279

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. OLDSMOBILE FAILED TO ENGINEER SUFFICIENT DURABILITY IN THE METAL ALLOYS TO PREVENT HEAT FROM WARPING THE ROTORS DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THIS HEAT WARPAGE OCCURRED TWICE, IN TWO YEARS, TO MY 1995 OLDSMOBILE. THE FIRST WARPAGE BECAME EVIDENT PRIOR TO MY 30,000 MILE SERVICE ON 9/26/97. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD 50% OF THE PAD REMAINING AT THE 30,000 MILE SERVICE. WHEN BRAKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHUDDER RESULTING IN POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. GUY SCHMIDT'S SERVICE DIRECTOR, RICK BALA…

Look up ODI 710279 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 729354

THIS CONCERNS THE ABS AND LOW TRACTION LIGHTS. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. IF I FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL, WHICH SAYS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS THEN TURN BACK ON AGAIN TO RESET THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. OCCASIONALY DURING THIS TIME, THE LOW TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BREAKING ALSO DURING DRY CONDITIONS. BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES VERY CHOPPY WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, THEN A SUDDEN STOP. NOT SURE WHAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM, BUT THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE ACCIDENT OCC…

Look up ODI 729354 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 66,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10054096 · 30,000 mi

Look up ODI 10054096 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10054302 · 103,000 mi

Look up ODI 10054302 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10057835

Look up ODI 10057835 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule