The 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,766,275 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).
SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHICH MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY DURING A COLLISION.
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FREE OF CHARGE.
THE TIE RODS ARE PART OF THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TRANSMIT TURNING MOVEMENTS TO THE WHEELS. THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE TIE RODS TO THEIR ADJUSTERS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. THIS COULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD TO LOOSEN AND DETACH ITSELF FROM THE ADJUSTER.
THE TIE ROD END BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1985 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. The vehicle lost power while driving uphill. A few years earlier, the vehicle was taken to an auto garage for a diagnosis, but no failure was found. The failure continued and on april 13, 2008, the failure was identified as the oiler racker…”
“Vehicle was disabled and parked, due to suspected engine trouble, the abandoned vehicle became engulfed in flames.*jb(ohio traffic crash report#10-90-485)”
“Vehicle was disabled and parked, due to suspected engine trouble, the abandoned vehicle became engulfed in flames.*jb(ohio traffic crash report#10-90-485)”
“While driving the vehicles check engine light illuminated and the engine died, the consumer pulled the vehicle the vehicle over and flames began coming from the engine compartment, the compartment was completely destroyed by fire (ohio traffic crash report). Nlm”
“Consumer was traveling 60-65mph in a 1985 station wagon oldsmobile, cutlass ciera. Driver's rear tire separated. Consumer said it looked like it was pulled apart with a knife. Tire were purchased 2-18-98 with 10-12,000 miles at the time of the incident.tire size is 195/75r14. The model tire is a…”
“Vehicle is experiencing steering problems which may cause loss of vehicle control. Been to dealer. Dealer cannot determine problem. Please provide further information. *ak”
“Consumer has been experiencing problems with automatic transmission. Vehicle stalled while they were driving. The manufacturer has yet to be contacted. *ak”
“Vehicle expriencing problem with acceleration after starting the vehicle and shifting into drive. Vehicle went out of control, causing vehicle to crash into fence. Dealer was not notified. *ak”
There is no summary currently available
CUTLASS SUPREME BRAKE LOCKUP
SUMMARY:GM BELIEVES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED THROUGH ITS PUBLI-CATION OF 7 SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER. IN ADDITION, GMDOES NOT BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: THREE FAILURE MODES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED; INSULATING FILM MAYBUILD UP BETWEEN THE BRUSH FACE AND THE…
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SUMMARY: THE OIL FILL TUBE MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ANDPOSSIBLY BECOME LODGED NEAR THE STEERING GEAR.THIS MAY CAUSE THESTEERING MECHANISM TO BECOME JAMMED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL.===
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Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.