CarModelProblems.com

1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 1.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
148Complaints
5Recalls
15Crashes
2Fires
10Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (12.2% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 1.6× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip18 · 12.2%RecalledRecall 94V211000 · Recall 95V061000
Air Bags:frontal11 · 7.4%not available
Vehicle Speed Control:cables9 · 6.1%RecalledRecall 93V162000
Vehicle Speed Control8 · 5.4%RecalledRecall 93V162000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline8 · 5.4%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine7 · 4.7%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP18 · 12.2%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL11 · 7.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES9 · 6.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8 · 5.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE8 · 5.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7 · 4.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5 · 3.4%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING5 · 3.4%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH5 · 3.4%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD4 · 2.7%

Percentages are the share of the 148 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

NHTSA campaign 97V017000 · 1997 · reported 02/11/1997

THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 94V211000 · 1994 · reported 10/26/1994

A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WILL CAUSE A LOSS OF ONE HALF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 95V061000 · 1995 · reported 03/22/1995

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 93V162000 · 1993 · reported 09/27/1993

LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL MAY NOT REDUCE ENGINE SPEEDTO A LEVEL ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STOPPEDWITH THE SERVICE BRAKE, LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY REAR BRAKE SYSTEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES…”NHTSA complaint 741246 — filed 02/20/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHEN APPLYING BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY THERE WOULD BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM…”NHTSA complaint 872542 — filed 10/08/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY BRAKE FAILURE. HAS BEEN IN SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FOUND”NHTSA complaint 722734 — filed 05/16/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

25199921232001522003242005212007112010322014212020

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 18 of 148 NHTSA complaints (12.2%), followed by air bags:frontal (11), vehicle speed control:cables (9), vehicle speed control (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?

148 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E021000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.