NHTSA service bulletin

NHTSA Service Bulletin 51272: 1994, 1995 Buick Cutlass Supreme

Official manufacturer communication context for 1994, 1995 Buick Cutlass Supreme, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.

NHTSA service bulletin 51272 summary graphic for 1994, 1995 Buick Cutlass Supreme
51272NHTSA document ID
Service campaigncommunication type
5affected product rows
90/100quality score

Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.

Quick answer

RECALL 97V-017 - PIVOT AND (PULSE/DIMMER) WINDSHIELD WASHER SWITCH - GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, 1994-95 BUICK REGAL, OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME AND 1995 CHEVROLET LUMINA/MONTECARLO MODEL VEHICLES - SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE -THIS MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIV WIPERS - IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING - TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME ON - RECALL 97V-017. *TW

What this bulletin may mean before buying

Treat this as service research, not a verdict on one car. Before you buy, compare this communication with official recall campaigns, model-level owner complaint patterns, and the exact vehicle’s VIN-decoded specifications. A bulletin can help you ask a seller or dealer sharper questions about software updates, known repairs, warranty extensions and service history.

Affected products listed in this communication

MakeModelModel yearsBuyer note
BuickRegal1994, 1995Ask for service records and run the exact VIN before purchase.
ChevroletLumina1995Ask for service records and run the exact VIN before purchase.
ChevroletMonte Carlo1995Ask for service records and run the exact VIN before purchase.
OldsmobileCutlass Supreme1994, 1995Ask for service records and run the exact VIN before purchase.
PontiacGrand Prix1994Ask for service records and run the exact VIN before purchase.

Buyer checklist

  1. Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
  2. Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
  3. Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
  4. Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
  5. Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.

Frequently asked questions

What is NHTSA service bulletin 51272?

RECALL 97V-017 - PIVOT AND (PULSE/DIMMER) WINDSHIELD WASHER SWITCH - GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, 1994-95 BUICK REGAL, OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME AND 1995 CHEVROLET LUMINA/MONTECARLO MODEL VEHICLES - SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE -THIS MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD.

Is a service bulletin the same as a recall?

No. A recall is a safety campaign with a required remedy for affected VINs. A service bulletin or manufacturer communication usually describes diagnostic, repair, software, warranty or service information.

How should a used-car buyer use this bulletin?

Use it as a research signal. Compare it with recalls, owner complaints, service records, a VIN report and an independent inspection before buying.

Check the exact VIN before you buy

Model-level pages show public safety patterns. A full VIN report helps confirm the exact vehicle, decoded specs, recall applicability and buyer checks.

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