1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: 2 recalls, 47 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #00V171000 · 2000 · 268,146 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the consumer is too close to an inflating air bag, serious injuries could occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inflators on these air bags.
Steering Vehicle recall #03V527000 · 2003 · 750,283 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering.…
The fix: 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. Owners should contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Oldsmobile at…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (10): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (9): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (4).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), stalls / loses power (3).
- Engine & cooling (8): the most common themes are leaks (5), stalls / loses power (2).
The 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme has 47 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 5 Cutlass Supreme model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 50). Complaints peaked in 2000 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 67,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (77 complaints, 1 recalls), 1997 (43 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme problems?
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (10), brakes (hydraulic) (9), electrical (8).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.1 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.