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 1.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
123Complaints
1Recalls
11Crashes
5Fires
13Injured
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 (10.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 1.9× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
13 · 10.6%
not available
—
Air Bags:frontal
13 · 10.6%
not available
—
Air Bags
9 · 7.3%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
9 · 7.3%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
6 · 4.9%
not available
—
Vehicle Speed Control
6 · 4.9%
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 SLIP13 · 10.6%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13 · 10.6%
AIR BAGS9 · 7.3%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9 · 7.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6 · 4.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6 · 4.9%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR5 · 4.1%
Unspecified / other5 · 4.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4 · 3.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4 · 3.3%
Percentages are the share of the 123 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.
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
Park itPark 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
“: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE BRAKE…”NHTSA complaint 10171983 — filed 10/27/2006 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THE ABS CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON, WHICH THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED…”NHTSA complaint 10113668 — filed 03/30/2005 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT…”NHTSA complaint 10015987 — filed 04/16/2003 · 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
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 13 of 123 NHTSA complaints (10.6%), followed by air bags:frontal (13), air bags (9), power train:automatic transmission (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
123 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, 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 1996 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.
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