OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME · model year

1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME

62 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997OLDSMOBILECUTLASS SUPREME carries 62 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 CUTLASS SUPREME is steering:rack and pinion with 8 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (7) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 13 investigation files overlapping the 1997 CUTLASS SUPREME. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

62
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

62 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING:RACK AND PINION8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR2
STEERING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER2
TIRES1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SEAT BELTS1

Recent Complaints

20041025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS AN OILY SCENT AND HAS OIL DEPOSITS INSIDE.*AK

Mileage: 96,900

20040806AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

MRS. JONES OWNES A 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. ON MARCH 10, 2004, I ENTERED THE DRIVER SEAT OF THE SAID CAR TO DEPART FROM HOME. WHEN I ENGAGED THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG STRUCK ME IN FACE, CAUSING INJURY.*AK

20040714SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FELL OFF. DRIVER'S SIDE THE SEAT BELT FASTENER CRACKED AND WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT ABLE TO BE LATCHED. DEALERSHIP DID NOT INDICATE WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THEY WERE JUST QUOTING THE REPLACING PRICE OF THE PART.*AK

Mileage: 75,000

20040629STEERING:RACK AND PINION

AFTER HAVING RECALL 03V527000 PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE, I AM HAVING CLICKING NOISES EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

20040511SUSPENSION

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 140,000

20040331CrashSTEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT

CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHEN HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AFTER SHE EXPERIENCED LOWER PINION BEARING SEPARATION. *PH *MR

20040319SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

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

20040319SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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

20040319SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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

20040310SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

WHEN BRAKING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT REAR PISTONS WERE STUCK AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IT WAS NOT KNOWN HOW LONG THE VEHICLE WAS IN THIS CONDITION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM BESIDES THE NOISE. *AK *LA

Mileage: 79,000

20040310SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHEN BRAKING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT REAR PISTONS WERE STUCK AND ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKES. REAR CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IT WAS NOT KNOWN HOW LONG THE VEHICLE WAS IN THIS CONDITION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM BESIDES THE NOISE. *AK *LA

Mileage: 79,000

20040226STEERING:RACK AND PINION

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

Mileage: 45,000

20040226POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 45,000

20040220CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND WENT INTO A DITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

20040219STEERING:RACK AND PINION

VEHICLE'S RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING. *LA *MR

20040120STEERING:RACK AND PINION

MY VIN[XXX] IS NOT INCLUDED IN GM RECALL # 03V-527. MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR FROM CALDWELL CLOVER CHEVROLET, AN AUTHORIZED GM FACILITY IS $843.00. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL EFFECTED AUTOMOBILES WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED APPROX. 8 - 12 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS SAME CAR IS THE HORN. IT DOES NOT BLOW. AN AUTHORIZED GM FACILITY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNDER THE HOOD AND STATED IT IS IN THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE AIR BAG WHICH IS A TIMELY AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSTANT. THE HORN HAS NOT BLOWN IN OVER 1YEAR EXCEPT ON THE RARE OCCASION (APPROX. EVERY TWO MONTHS) IT WILL BLOW FOR LESS THAN 20 MIN. THEN STOP AGAIN.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 80,000

20040120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

MY VIN[XXX] IS NOT INCLUDED IN GM RECALL # 03V-527. MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR FROM CALDWELL CLOVER CHEVROLET, AN AUTHORIZED GM FACILITY IS $843.00. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL EFFECTED AUTOMOBILES WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED APPROX. 8 - 12 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS SAME CAR IS THE HORN. IT DOES NOT BLOW. AN AUTHORIZED GM FACILITY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNDER THE HOOD AND STATED IT IS IN THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE AIR BAG WHICH IS A TIMELY AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSTANT. THE HORN HAS NOT BLOWN IN OVER 1YEAR EXCEPT ON THE RARE OCCASION (APPROX. EVERY TWO MONTHS) IT WILL BLOW FOR LESS THAN 20 MIN. THEN STOP AGAIN.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 80,000

20031113STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

WHEN PULLING TO THE LEFT OUT OF A PARKING PLACE I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. EVENTUALLY THE WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN EVEN WITH FORCE. WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL A "SQUOOSHING" NOISE WAS HEARD. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE STEERING WHEEL DID TURN, BUT WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY, AND I IMMEDIATELY WENT STRAIGHT HOME (APPROXIMATELY 14 MILES). DURING THAT TIME I DID NOT MAKE ANY ABRUPT TURNS AND WAS VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVING ONLY 45 MPH AT THE MAXIMUM. UPON REACHING HOME I CONTACTED THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, SINCE THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN ANY MAJOR DISTANCE. AFTER THE CAR WAS INSPECTED I WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO BE OPERABLE. I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS ITEM SHOULD HAVE FAILED AT 6 YEARS SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED. I ALSO FEEL THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE FULLY REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *LA

Mileage: 131,608

20031028STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER STRUGGLED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *SCC *JB

Mileage: 40,000

20031022ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PROBLEMS WITH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH DASH. REQUEST INFORMATION ON VEHICLE AS FAR AS ACCURATE MILEAGE, LEMON CHECK AND RECALL CHECK.*MR DEALER REFUSED TO LET CONSUMER TRADE IN THE VEHICLE OR GIVE HER ANSWERS TO HER QUESTION. IN ADDITION, SHE REQUESTED INFORMATION ON ANY ACCIDENTS/RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. *PH THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. *JB

Compare 1997OLDSMOBILECUTLASS SUPREME to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME have?
The 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME has 62 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME?
The most-complained component for the 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME is STEERING:RACK AND PINION with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.