Most common 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems
Share of the 96 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Oldsmobile Cutlass complaints by model year
Best Cutlass years: 1999, 1997. Years to avoid: 1998, 1995. Compare all years →
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the "salt belt" states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side windshield wiper pivot housing. Owner notification began August 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass:
Windshield wiper failure
In March 2001, GM notified NHTSA that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA number 01V068) on certain model year (my) 1997-1998 Chevrolet malibu and Oldsmobile cutlass vehicles to replace defective windshield wiper pivot housings.GM reported the wiper failure was triggered by loads placed on the wipers when operated under conditions of moderate to heavy snowfall.GM conducted the recall in 28 states and the…
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…
Steering rack and pinion
Odi has received 200 complaints fromt consumers and 1,238 from GM alleging failure or lockup of the steering rack and pinion unit (r&p).this alleged condition can result in the loss of steering control of the vehicle and a crash can result.GM has reported six crashes in which eight people have sustained injuries ranging from bruises, airbag burn, seat belt abrasion, facial injury, neck and back pain.all crashes were…
Windshield wiper
There is no summary currently available
Power rack and pinion steering failure
The lower pinion bearing in the rack and pinion steering assembly May fail.GM will recall 1997-98 grand prix built between 1-mar-96 and 31-oct-97; and 1996-98 u-vans/j-cars built between 1-jan-96 and 31-oct-97.see attached summary.
Windshield wiper
On February 22, 2000, the office of defects investigation (odi) initiated pe00-009 based on seven reports of windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 1997 & 1998 Chevrolet malibu & Oldsmobile cutlass vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to ea00-019 on July 12, 2000.during the course of the investigation, it was found that the failures were the result of fracture of the passenger-side windshield wiper…
What 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass owners say
Brakes all 25 →
Since I purchased the vehicle in 1997, there have been numerous problems. The front brakes have been replaced 3 times, once while still under warranty. The air conditioning unit failed, an $800 repair. The motor on the driver side window malfunctioned, a $400 repair. Today, while driving home the battery light came on, I was within a mile of home, so I just kept going. As I was turning into my driveway, all of the controls on the dashboard failed, speed limit, gas gauge, etc. I also apparently had no lights because the car behind me almost ran into me when the turn signals didn't work.
ABS light comes on at random times, usually during a turn, but no adverse conditions occur. When diagnosed, it was stated that the speed sensor was bad. I have had both front speed sensors replaced about 3-4 times under warranty, and since the warranty has run out, I just deal with the light. I just brought it in for this problem about 6 weeks ago, and again the computer diagnostics said that it was a speed sensor. This problem has existed since I bought the car.
Steering all 20 →
While driving at 20 MPH, the front wheels buckled and the vehicle fell to the ground. The steering locked up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer in March 2004 for a rack and pinion replacement. The consumer was wondering why this incident happened. The consumer was approaching a rail road track, then all of a sudden the steering wheel would not turn and the vehicle had taken off to the right. The consumer was not able to control the vehicle. The vehicle was not fixed or the dealer placed the wrong part on the vehicle. The lower pinion bearing was replaced.
While driving the vehicles the steering wheel makes noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on September 9, 2002 and replace steering column seals, on September 18, 2002 problem recurred. Happened again on January 8, 2003. The steering experienced many other failures and the dealer replaced the rack and pinion.
Engine & cooling
Intake manifold gasket failed twice. First repaired at monroe service on 11-18-2005 at 76655 miles the cost was $731.16. Second repair was at Goodyear gemini on 12-21-2006 at 82274miles. The cost was $642.40. Both facilities were ase certified. I have been an assistant store manager in the past for both procare and Goodyear, and rarely saw a failure of an intake manifold gasket, except in early foriegn engines with aluminum blocks or aluminum heads or both. I just had a front brake overhaul at midas, and the tech nician asked if I had had any problems with theintake manifold gasket, which set me off on this search. I talked to the managers at both monroe and Goodyear ,and both said they have had many problems with these gaskets that they have had to repair. Did a google search and found many complaints about it, and saw that a class action lawsuit out of Canada was being filed. …
Since I purchased the vehicle in 1997, there have been numerous problems. The front brakes have been replaced 3 times, once while still under warranty. The air conditioning unit failed, an $800 repair. The motor on the driver side window malfunctioned, a $400 repair. Today, while driving home the battery light came on, I was within a mile of home, so I just kept going. As I was turning into my driveway, all of the controls on the dashboard failed, speed limit, gas gauge, etc. I also apparently had no lights because the car behind me almost ran into me when the turn signals didn't work.
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass a good car?
Based on 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Cutlass rates average: 33% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cutlass at the same age. It is one of the best Cutlass 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 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
The brakes — 25 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the steering (20) and engine & cooling (15).
How many recalls does the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998 and 1995. See the full Oldsmobile Cutlass years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 82,000 miles; 17% 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.