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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 43 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Oldsmobile dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme owner complaints

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, describing incidents dated August 20, 1997 to July 27, 2004.

Most-cited components

  • Steering 14 complaints
  • Service Brakes 12 complaints
  • Engine 4 complaints
  • Seat Belts 3 complaints
  • Structure 3 complaints
  • Suspension 3 complaints

Of the 43 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 43 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10096349 · Filed

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

  • ODI #10086318 · Filed

    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

  • ODI #10081992 · Filed

    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

Read all 43 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/STEERING GEAR BEARINGS

NHTSA #03V527000 · Steering — Rack and Pinion · NHTSA notice

Reported December 11, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 750,283 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03062 · Owners notified February 5, 2004 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – May 31, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03062.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme model years

Check your 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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