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1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass, and owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
113
owner complaints to NHTSA
6 / 4
complaints citing a crash / fire
20–24
MPG combined (EPA)

6 safety recalls for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Structure

    NHTSA 97V058000 Reported 676,535 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and MINI vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

  2. Wheels

    NHTSA 95V115000 Reported 22,361 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.

  3. Wheels

    NHTSA 94V041000 Reported 198,163 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.

  4. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 90V185000 Reported 476,422 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Brake stoplamps may not illuminate or, in some cases, stoplamps will not stay illuminated all the time when brakes are applied due to a faulty stoplamp switch. Also in vehicles equipped with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.

    Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.

  5. Seat belts

    NHTSA 90V054000 Reported 673,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.

    Remedy: Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.

  6. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 89V122000 Reported 5,459 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The electronic air conditioning control may not function when starting car that has been parked for a few hours with ignition off.

    Remedy: Replace electronic comfort control assembly.

113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 10 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 200,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 41 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“1989 cutlass calias. Consumer writes in regards to while traveling the steering wheel locked up and vehicle had no brakes. *smd the consumer stated her husband was not able to control the vehicle, and”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 15, 2014 · Electrical system

“Tl*the contact owns a 1989 oldsmobile cutlass. The vehicle was leaking power steering fluid and the steering was difficult to turn. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and paid to have it repai”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 12, 2008 · Steering

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined20–24 mpg
City / Highway17–21 / 26–28
FuelRegular
EPA classMidsize-Large Station Wagons
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.5/2.8/3.3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd

Compare Oldsmobile Cutlass model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Oldsmobile Cutlass model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass10
1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass20
1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass30
1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass30
1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass13
1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass23
1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass50
1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass72
1980 Oldsmobile Cutlass43
1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass23
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass21
1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass25
1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass216
1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass318
1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass323
1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass216
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass674
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass6113
1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass6103
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass6193
1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass3136
1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass4139
1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass4148
1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass3156
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass0123
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass296
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass2155
1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass080

Checking a specific 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass

How do I know if my 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Oldsmobile dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 89V122000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Oldsmobile models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.