Does the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any recalls?

8 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: equipment, service brakes, hydraulic, power train, suspension, visibility, seats. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Oldsmobile dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass?

2 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

8 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Oldsmobile been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Oldsmobile dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls, newest first

October 24, 2007NHTSA 07E088000121,680 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: Certain honeywell fram racing brand HP4 and HP8 oil filters that were manufactured from may 25, 2006, through September 14, 2007, and sold for use as replacement equipment for vehicles list above. The affected filters are marked with a date code A61451 through A72571 sequentially. The date code and part number appear on the filter housing. Fram racing HP4 and HP8 oil filters not bearing a date code in this range are not affected by this recall. The gasket of the oil filter becomes more pliable under high temperatures and pressures.
Consequence: This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy: Honeywell will replace the affected oil filters free of charge. The recall began during November 2007. Owners can contact fram customer service toll-free at 1-800-890-2075.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 29, 1985NHTSA 85V0480001,810,000 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Wheel cylinders

Summary: Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes would remain operational.
Remedy: Add a part to prevent wheel cylinder from rotating.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 24, 1984NHTSA 84V1490003,100,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft

Summary: Rear axle assembly may have axles that were improperly manufactured. This condition may result in separation of the axle shaft and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect the rear axle to determine whether it was manufactured at the buffalo plant. If so, they will make axle measurements and if necessary replace or modify affected axle components without charge.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 25, 1981NHTSA 81V0250005,821,160 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear

Summary: The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
Remedy: Both rear control arm attachment bolts will be replaced without charge.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 11, 1981NHTSA 81V02200067,350 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility › Glass, side/rear

Summary: The electro-clear rear window defoggers contain a defect which causes the glass to shatter without impact during or some time after use of the defogger. Vertical electrical strips may deteriorate and cause hot spots that can result in breakage of the rear glass.
Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected for presence of a particular weatherstrip. If present, a layer of a special conductive epoxy will be added to the vertical bar on the rear window glass. This epoxy is a new conductive material which will not react with the weatherstrip.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 28, 1979NHTSA 79V196000491 vehicles potentially affected

Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint

Summary: The invovled vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts". Incorrect head restraints may have been installed.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install new head restraints at no cost to owner.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 6, 1979NHTSA 79V14200015,328 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

Summary: On the involved vehicles the brake stoplight and cruise control switch which is operated by the brake pedal may have been assembled with an incorrect lubricant on the actuating plunger. This can cause the rear brake stoplights to become inoperative and the cruise control, if activated, to stay electrically engaged.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake stoplight and cruise control switch at no cost to owner.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 17, 1979NHTSA 79V10100046 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Summary: An incorrect fluid was used as an assembly aid (lubrication) during installation of the piston seal in front brake calipers which were installed in 10.5" x 1" disc brake assemblies used on "a" series cars. The incorrect fluid attacks the piston seal and causes them to swell and deteriorate.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the brake caliper piston seals.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline1
Power train › Automatic transmission1

Other Oldsmobile Cutlass years

Other 1979 Oldsmobile models

Questions

Does the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any recalls?: 8 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: equipment, service brakes, hydraulic, power train, suspension, visibility, seats. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Oldsmobile dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass?: 2 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.