Oldsmobile Cutlass overheating problems

Filed Oct 21, 2013 · Steering · 60,000 miles · KY

We bought the car in 2010 from a used car dealer. Upon 6 months of driving we noticed a steering problem that was hard to the left and just didn't seem right. The engine also had overheating and gasket problems so we had the engine replaced. Upon test driving the vehicle the mechanic was driving and the power steer had a complete failure and ran him towards oncoming traffic and then back another direction. Upon return to the shop he concluded the entire rack was broken and needed replaced. At the time in 2011 we were not aware that gm recalled the lower pinion bearing in the power steering rack in 2003 so we had paid for a new rack and pinion to be replaced. There evidently was leftover debris in the rack in pinion from the original part failure and now has ruined the 2nd rack and pinion. My complaint is that in 2004 our car is listed as a car that was affected and had been serviced in 2004 in georgia. The only thing replaced was a tiny snap ring, in which the detailed repair pdf states in multiple incidences that it is up to the mechanic to decide how much failure has taken place what to do and that any misteps will lead to other part failures!! We bought this car w/ very low mileage so at the point they say they fixed the car and when it broke was approx. 30,000 miles. They either did not fix correctly or they did not touch the car at all because the very description to what happened to our car was exactly what is listed as the failure of the part. We would like the original part failure that is now shredded into hundreds of pieces causing future rack and pinion failures to be flushed clean and honestly should replaced the entire rack because they never fixed the part originally or they didn't fix it correctly and the original part failed exactly as stated on the recall to the point the mechanic almost wrecked our car.

Filed Dec 29, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Ltr fm (fl) re defective 1996 oldsmobile ciera. *ts the engine overheated, the battery had a low charge and the vehicle was low on fuel and oil. The oxygen sensor was replaced when the engine light illuminated. The indicator for the fuel never gave an actual reading of the fuel in the tank, it fluctuated at various speeds and it was hard to tell how much fuel was actually in the tank. The consumer had a water pump installed.

Filed Dec 19, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Ltr fm consumer (fl) re defective 1996 oldsmobile ciera. *ts six months after vehicle was purchased the consumer notice that the service engine light would flash on and off intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the oxygen sensor. The vehicle ran fine for a while then the check engine light illuminated again. The dealer replaced another sensor. Eventually the vehicle's engine overheated which resulted in engine damage. This failure occurred under 100,000 miles . The fuel gauge never gave the actual fuel tank reading. The fuel needle would fluctuate while the vehicle was being driven at various speed. Many batteries have been replaced in the vehicle because they fail unexpectedly. The battery indicator never illuminated indicating there was a problem.

Filed Jun 22, 2005 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · MI

Dt: problem began a couple of weeks ago. There was smoke coming from steering column. Problem was noticed while in motion. It seemed to happen when it was hot outside. Vehicle was not overheating. Then, left and right turn signals went out as well as the horn. Upon inspection by the mechanic, it was reported that there was a bad switch in the steering column ,and the wires were frayed. Vehicle is now in the shop. Owner contacted gm, and provided her VIN, was told there were no recalls.

Filed Jun 4, 2005 · Engine · 57,000 miles · CT

Engine overheating -- coolant leaking into engine. Intake mainfold gasket showed signs of failing at around 57,000 miles failed completely at 59,000 miles. Did some research on internet and found dozens of reports of similar problems with the 3.1 liter v-6 engine in this and similar gm models. Contacted oldsmobile customer service and was able to negotiate a 50/50 on the cost of repair.

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Engine · 135,500 miles · LA

I was driving across town when I noticed my engine was overheating. I was right down the street from my mechanic, so I stopped there. What was left of my coolant emptied out onto the ground as a I watched. My coolant intake gaskethad given out. The repair guy told me after he fixed it that it had virtually disappeared at some places. He also called me at some point to inform me that my fuel line had given out and was leaking. Thankfully the shop was able to fix everything quickly, as I use my car for commuting to college and work.

Filed Dec 10, 2004 · Engine · 101,000 miles · MN

Engine overheated. Consumer made it home, and after the vehicle was inspected, it was discovered that engine was defective. The manufacturer offered no assistance.

Filed Apr 16, 2004 · Engine · NJ

Vehicle overheated, and engine leaked coolant. Heat increased in front on the floor and through the dashboard. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who was unable to determine or diagnose the problem.

Filed Mar 7, 2004 · Engine · 45,000 miles · PA

My 1999 olds cutlass, had a leaking manifold intake gasket, which almost caused an accident in the liberty tunnel in pgh, due to overheating. There was no place to pull over. Several mechanics told me this is such a common problem with this gm engine, it should be under recall. Fortunately, I managed to get out of the tunnel and over the bridge before it caught fire, smoke was pouring out from under the hood. I had the problem fixed at my own expense of over $363.

Filed Nov 22, 2003 · Engine · 56,000 miles · PA

Coolant leak, overheated in liberty tunnel in pgh,pa, almost causing an accident in tunnel. Mechanic states the problem is the manifold intake gasket very common to gm vehicles.