Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 990844003 | 06/01/1999 | 606083 | Some customers may complain about weak fm radio reception and / or no am radio reception. *tt | 08/06/1999 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||||
| 98836416 | 06/01/1998 | 601912 | Conditions regarding weak or discharged battery, slow starting, gen or mil lamp on, various driveability symptoms. *yc | 08/28/1998 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||||
| 010849020 | 12/01/2001 | 631899 | Subject regarding revised ignition lock cylinder or ignition switch assembly replacement. *slc | 06/25/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 0208116001 | 01/01/2002 | 631229 | Subject regarding intermittent communication or serial data diagnostic trouble codes stored in history. *slc | 05/21/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||||
| 97IDPD18B | 08/01/1997 | 606395 | Subject on clusters for 1997-98 vehicles - circuit board update. *tt | 06/29/2000 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 12/01/2007 | 100000 | 1 | 12/01/2007 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass. when the contact inserted the key into the ignition, the anti- theft warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. the engine would not start until the light dimmed. she took the vehicle to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure or provide a sufficient remedy. the manufacturer did not assist. the failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 112,000. updated 11/19/08. *lj the consumer stated when she attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. updated 11/19/08. *jb | |||
| 06/11/2008 | 73000 | 1 | |
| Anti-theft system on my 1997 olds cutlass comes on frequently and will not allow my car to start. in researching this issue i see there are literally 100's of complaints regarding this very problem. gm should be made to fix the issue by completely replacing the defective part with one that is more stable. this problem started out only happening ever once in awhile, now it is happening daily. my only option at this point, is to disconnect the very feature that would prevent my vehicle from being stolen. obviously, replacing the ignition or key is a short term fix as the new part also becomes defective in a very short period of time. *tr | |||
| 07/12/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving 55-60 mph, the consumer noticed smoke coming from the steering wheel column. the consumer pulled vehicle over, and towed it to repair shop, technician couldn't duplicate the problem. *ak the turn signal switch shorted and burned the wire through the column to the fuse panel. *sc *jb | |||
| 08/21/2003 | 137000 | 1 | 08/14/1997 |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 05/08/2003 | 71000 | 4 | 03/01/1998 |
| 1) after purchasing the car i had it to the dealer at least 4 times for a body module malfunction. 2) ignition switch went bad could not start car, had to be towed, took two attempts to fix correctly 3) air-conditioning button quit working 4) smoke came from steering column 5) when using cigarette lighter, blows auxiliary power fuse 6) passenger side fog light keeps blowing about every three months 7) windows jump track and back windows gradually go down themselves. 8) windshield wipers break when in use, whole arm disconnects leaving them useless, occurred three times within six month. *jb | |||
| 06/01/2002 | 1 | 07/26/1997 | |
| Consumer had fuel injector replaced, electrical testing was done on vehicle due to engine check light alert, the next day the vehicle would not start. vehicle was checked by dealer who determined that battery was not disconnected during testing which caused wires to burn into steering column. consumer very concerned because horn was not working. also had an exposed wire in the steering which was a potential shock hazard.*ak consumer states he is now experiencing other problems related to the electrical problem such as the air conditioning light coming on and the air bag system failed. *jb | |||
| 1 | 01/01/1997 | ||
| Electrical malfunction causing lights, signals and alarm to malfunction. mjs | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 20 | 04/01/1977 | |
| Abs light has been coming on intermittently, braking distance is normal. vehicle taken to dealer 15-20 times. replaced brake pads/ alternator/ battery/ wiring harness, and put in sensor. did not remedy problem, vehicle at dealer at this time. *ak serpentine and tensioner belt broken. security light blinks due to bad theft lock sensor assembly . blower speeds inoperative. a/c control inoperative. left front seat belt buckle falls to floor. power window inoperable due to electrical switch failure. *yh | |||
| 10/15/1999 | 1 | 04/01/1997 | |
| This car has had all of its scheduled maintenance performed at the dealership. during the first year that i owned the car, a) the cruise control stopped working and the cable from the cruise control power unit to the throttle body had to be replaced, and b) the carpet started balding in an area where there normally isn't any contact with my feet. during the past few months, a) the generator died leaving me stranded at a 24-lane toll plaza on the new jersey turnpike, and b) the positive battery terminal pulled out of the battery, draining the battery acid and leaving me with a dead car and a shopping cart full of groceries. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 10/01/2000 | 2 | 04/01/1999 | |
| Engine rear nut bolts broken, engine moves at the least bump on pavement. ticking noise from the engine. sometimes the car will not start right away. coolant constant needed. engine light/or battery light comes on.*ak | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 20 | 04/01/1977 | |
| Abs light has been coming on intermittently, braking distance is normal. vehicle taken to dealer 15-20 times. replaced brake pads/ alternator/ battery/ wiring harness, and put in sensor. did not remedy problem, vehicle at dealer at this time. *ak serpentine and tensioner belt broken. security light blinks due to bad theft lock sensor assembly . blower speeds inoperative. a/c control inoperative. left front seat belt buckle falls to floor. power window inoperable due to electrical switch failure. *yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES | |||
| 10/15/1999 | 1 | 04/01/1997 | |
| This car has had all of its scheduled maintenance performed at the dealership. during the first year that i owned the car, a) the cruise control stopped working and the cable from the cruise control power unit to the throttle body had to be replaced, and b) the carpet started balding in an area where there normally isn't any contact with my feet. during the past few months, a) the generator died leaving me stranded at a 24-lane toll plaza on the new jersey turnpike, and b) the positive battery terminal pulled out of the battery, draining the battery acid and leaving me with a dead car and a shopping cart full of groceries. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER | |||
| 08/12/2006 | 98597 | 25 | 04/10/2000 |
| I own a 1997 oldsmobile cutlass and i have been having problems with the passlock anti-theft system on this vehicle for some time. sometimes when i try and start this vehicle, the theft system light starts to blink on and off. when this happens, the vehicle can not be started for at least 10 minutes. this is very frustrating as it usually happens at the worst of times, like in the cold winter weather, at a gas station, or in a loading/unloading zone at a hotel. sometimes the theft system light will come on while driving and then i wonder if the car will start when i am ready to leave again. i have read many stories about similar problems that other gm owners have on their vehicles, so i know that this is not a random problem that affects only some people. this is a problem that needs to be addressed by gm. i have had the ignition switch replaced once on this vehicle, and this will be a very expensive option if i have to do that again. is there anything that can be done about this? the date listed below is the most recent date that this happened. it happened twice last week when we were out of town on a trip at the worst of times. *jb | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 20 | 04/01/1977 | |
| Abs light has been coming on intermittently, braking distance is normal. vehicle taken to dealer 15-20 times. replaced brake pads/ alternator/ battery/ wiring harness, and put in sensor. did not remedy problem, vehicle at dealer at this time. *ak serpentine and tensioner belt broken. security light blinks due to bad theft lock sensor assembly . blower speeds inoperative. a/c control inoperative. left front seat belt buckle falls to floor. power window inoperable due to electrical switch failure. *yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 01/01/2000 | |||
| While turning on vehicle there is a clicking noise coming from ignition. dealership is aware of problem.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 06/10/2003 | 17296 | 1 | 04/11/1997 |
| The vehicle's iac sensor connector wire was too short which caused engine failure while driving. technical service bulletin 634780 is related to this issue. *ak *ph *nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 20 | 04/01/1977 | |
| Abs light has been coming on intermittently, braking distance is normal. vehicle taken to dealer 15-20 times. replaced brake pads/ alternator/ battery/ wiring harness, and put in sensor. did not remedy problem, vehicle at dealer at this time. *ak serpentine and tensioner belt broken. security light blinks due to bad theft lock sensor assembly . blower speeds inoperative. a/c control inoperative. left front seat belt buckle falls to floor. power window inoperable due to electrical switch failure. *yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 03/18/2001 | 12 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Starts and runs beautifully until stopped briefly, won't resart, turns over and dies. no gas smell. after sitting 15-20 minutes, starts. lights turn on when car is parked if buffeted by wind. short in stalk switch. dome light doesn't go off when door is | |||