1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

71/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Service brakes	70	29%
Seat belts	26	11%
Electrical system	25	10%
Engine and engine cooling	23	10%
Structure	16	7%
Vehicle speed control	12	5%
Steering	11	5%
Visibility	8	3%
Seats	8	3%
Power train	7	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CIERA. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 95V173000, SEAT BELTS FRONT, ANCHORAGE ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE, CONTACT HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

THE REAR CRADLE BOLT RECALL 00V189000 DEFECT OCCURRED WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS RESULTED IN THE SUBFRAME BENDING AND THE STEERING COLUMN COMING APART. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND STE
NHTSA complaint: Structure

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS T
NHTSA complaint: Steering

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $ 1250. BU
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES ALREADY BECAUSE IT WILL CUT OFF WILL DRIVING, PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. NO ON
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. I'M A DISABLED PERSON, AND HUSBAND HAS BEEN DEPLOYED FOR A YEAR OR MORE, AND ALSO HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD THAT I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD VISITED MY HUSBAND WHE
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

The seven scores

Reliability raw	80	excellent
Longevity est.	78	good
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	48	below average
Efficiency	40	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 42% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 56% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 97% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 57% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 80: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 78: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1991 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme?

Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 70 of them (29%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.