The 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,827,850 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
"TX" HEAVY DUTY WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH LAMINATED STEEL. THE WHEEL DISC MAY FRACTURE AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.
BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Engine fire. (ohio state police report) *dsh”
“Carburetor float stuck, causing overflow of gasoline into engine. *sd”
“Both rear windows stick. *sd”
“Rear passenger door sticks. *sd”
“Carburetor float stuck, causing overflow of gasoline into engine. *sd”
“Both rear windows stick. *sd”
“Rear passenger door sticks. *sd”
“Consumer would like to know if there are places or a program for low income citizens to repair vehicle. *la consumer needs major engine work done on her vehicle. *ph”
SUMMARY:GM IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN (85V-048)INVOLVING 2,136,826 VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO VEHICLES BUILT ATCERTAIN ASSEMBLY PLANTS WHICH, ACCORDING TO GM, OVERTORQUED THE BRAKEPIPE NUT,THEREBY OVERSTRESSING THE WHEEL CYLINDER SUPPORT AREA OF THEBACKING PLATE.ANALYSIS:FRONT BRAKES PROVIDE…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.