Model year guide

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass — representative photo
Representative photo

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints25
Combined18–23 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass recalls 2

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #89V102000 · 16/06/1989

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Fix: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift NHTSA Campaign #87V168000 · 26/10/1987

MANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED.

Fix: REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE DETENT LEVER LINK.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass MPG & running costs

Combined18–23 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,418
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Automatic 4-spd
Passenger volume101 cu ft
Cargo volume42 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,091 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 11 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,090
Fuel only$17,090
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
190.6–200.4 in
Width
69.7–72.0 in
Height
54.3–55.9 in
Wheelbase
104.7–108.3 in
Curb weight
2,738–3,232 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass — ranges cover the 12 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 3

BRAKE PERFORMANCE Closed

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NHTSA #EA90041 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Aug 1990 · closed Mar 1992

PARKING BRAKE CABLE Closed

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NHTSA #PE89145 · Parking Brake · opened Jul 1989 · closed Sep 1989

THROTTLE NON-RETURN Closed

NHTSA #C89001 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Mar 1989 · closed Jan 1990

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CUTLASS. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Oldsmobile Cutlass

The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a series of automobiles produced by the General Motors' Oldsmobile division between 1961 and 1999. At its introduction, the Cutlass was Oldsmobile's entry-level model; it began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate. The Cutlass was named after Vought F7U Cutlass, as well as the type of sword, which was common during the Age of Sail.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass vehicles on record

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass1G3AJ51RXHC321977

Other Oldsmobile Cutlass model years

1999 1998 1997 1993 1992 1990 1989 1988

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass — frequently asked questions

Does the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass?

Across all 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, seat belts, steering.

What gas mileage does the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass get?

The 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (11 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.