1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 16, 2004 · Steering · 103,000 miles · MI · crash

Power steering suddenly failed without warning and no prior symptoms. Sudden total loss of power assist while turning left caused major accident. Car was driven off the road into a brick retaining wall causing over $3,000 damage to the car plus $350 damage to the wall. After towing car home, the power steering returned to "normal" operation. Police report indicates complaint of sudden loss of power assist to the steering causing steering to feel as if it were locked in position. Car is just now repaired and drivable. This is seemingly identical to symptoms on '96 and newer gm cars and should be included in the recall. Fortunately, no one was hurt...this time. Next time, who knows?!

Filed Apr 5, 2001 · Transmission · IA

While traveling vehicle lost power on the right side. Vehicle was serviced. Technician stated that transmission needed to be replaced. Please provide further information.

Filed Oct 30, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · NC

My car had a loss of power when it reached normal temperature and going on highway speeds. You had to put the accelerator all the way down to the mat in order to keep going. I took the car to a mechanic and they noticed that the engine was running hot in certain parts of the motor. They replaced the thersmostat and flushed the radiator but that didn't fix the car. They recommended to replace the catalic convertor but that didn't fix it either. The next step was to get the transmission tested. That did it, and the transmission had to be rebuilt. The problem is that there's a vacuum leak in between the engine and the transmission causing the transmission to overheat. That caused extensive damage to the transmission. Mr. Transmission (my mechanic) had another cutlass same year, model, & a little more milage than mine with the same problem. A co-worker had the same model, milage, & year and he also replaced his transmission. I had contacted gm and their excuse is I didn't take the car to the dealer and my warranty is expired. I re-searched your site and since 1990 all sedans with automatic transmission from general motors had major problems. By the way, here the transmission model 4t60e. That same model has been used for years on all sedans since 1994.

Filed Aug 24, 1999 · Transmission · GA

Transmission failed when driving at 45 MPH on a highway during morning rush hours. Transmission slipped and lost power. Can only drive at around 20 MPH while other cars following were at 45-50 MPH. Fortunately no accident caused. Brought car to royal olds and later was informed that metal shavings were found in transmission fluid. Transmission was disassembled and found the reverse reaction drum came loose. The total cost for the repair is $1,900 but royal olds advised that manufacturer is willing to subsidize $1,200 and I pay the balance $700. The car is only 5,000 miles over the 36,000 warranty and was serviced at 30,000 miles for scheduled maintainance. It has never been used to haul anything. Under normal useage and with regular timing maintainance, the transmission should not fail at 41,000 miles unless there was a manufacturer defect. I feel the manufacturer should pay for the total repair bill of $1,900. Now I need to pay the $700 in order to get the car back, but would like to know whether the manufacturer should be totally responsible, and if yes, how to get my $700 reimbursed.

Filed Apr 20, 1998 · Brakes, Engine · IN · crash

Was coming off a ramp at about 30 MPH when a defect in engine caused loss of power and steering. Consumer went to apply brakes, vehicle spinned and hit guardrail.