Most common 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems
Share of the 47 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme complaints by model year
Best Cutlass Supreme years: 1997, 1996. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme recalls (2)
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Corrosion of the air bag inflator's internal wiring, which can occur over time, could cause the inadvertent deployment of the driver's air bag. This deployment could occur during vehicle start-up, while the vehicle is parked or idling, or while in operation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inflators on these air bags.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme:
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Inadvertent air bag deployment
There is no summary currently available
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM's letter to NHTSA dated December 11, 2003, expands its original recall (NHTSA 02V286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 Chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 Pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 Buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.GM determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion…
What 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme owners say
Air bags
I have been contacted by general motors by mail with regard to a product safety issue which affects the driver's side air bag inflator. They advise of a defect that can cause the driver's side bag to deploy unexpectedly, without a crash, as you start your car or during normal driving. In 1995 or 1996 models of my vehicle. They claim it will take several months to correct this defect. I do not feel that this is a reasonable and safe solution. My vehicle is near the 60,000 mile usage at which these unexpected deployments could occur. Several months is not the correct amount of time to be driving highways and not only endangering my own life, but the lives of others who May be hurt or killed if my driver's air bag deploys in transit. …
I recieved a safety recall notice from Oldsmobile stating that the driver side airbag could possibly deply for no reason. They also stated it would take up to six months to get the parts to repair this. I wrote to them requesting that something be done more quickly as I think this is a serious safety defect. I am a single mother with two children and no other means of transportation. I don't have an alternate vehicle and do a lot of traveling. It seems to me that this is not only dangerous to me and my family but all the other individuals who are on the road with me. If the airbag deploys when I am driving with the same force that it deploys in an accident an serious accident will occur. At this time, I have not received any further information from them. I am worried every time a get behind the wheel of the car. …
Brakes
Vehicle skidded under hard braking (to avoid collision); ABS did not activate until after 2 seconds of skidding. ABS also activates under normal braking over bumpy road; stays activated for 30 seconds. Dealer inspected braking and ABS systems; found no problems, found no error codes in ABS computer. No other action taken by dealer.
Braking failure. During normal driving the ABS warning light and the low trac warning light came on. The brakes failed to operate for approximately 2 seconds, nearly causing an accident. The problem was resolved by the dealer. It was a failure of the right rear wheel speed sensor. Cost of $550.00 to repair.
Electrical system
When making turns and sometimes when you drive over a slight bump the heater fan will turn on by itself or if listening to the radio the station will change by itself. Also while driving the auto door locks will suddenly click.this vehicle has temperature and radio controls installed on steering wheel. When I brought the vehicle in to service the recall in regards to the air bag defect I informed the dealer of the problem thinking it May relate to the defective air bag wiring but I was told they had no idea what it was and were only required to fix the problem at hand which was the air bag inflater.
Vehicle did not give any warning that the battery was discharging. This occurred while driving 55mph on interstate 95 in ma. The electrical system completely shut down as I exited the road. Second time this happened in 4 years. No icons came on to warn me. Frightening experience to have car stalled at exit with trucks egressing the road.
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme a good car?
Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Cutlass Supreme rates average: 21% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cutlass Supreme at the same age. It is one of the best Cutlass Supreme years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme?
The air bags — 10 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (9) and electrical system (8).
How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, the most recent from December 11, 2003 (rack and pinion). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997 and 1996. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.