RoadVitals

1990 Oldsmobile Ciera

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Aug 20, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 15, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance729.2%
  • Electrical312.5%
  • Engine312.5%
  • Body & structure28.3%
  • Brakes28.3%
  • Seat belts28.3%
  • Interior & seats14.2%
  • Exterior lighting14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V173000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Sep 15, 1995
2,216,325 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
92V124000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Sep 1, 1992
319,181 units potentially affected
The defect: THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
The risk: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
The remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94048ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE

Opened Jun 21, 1994
Closed Dec 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 20
Steering
Filed Aug 20, 2002

BEGAN NOTICING STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED INTO DESIRED ANGLE. FURTHER NOTICED ENTIRE WHEEL WOULD HAVE SIDE-TO-SIDE MOVEMENT. AT THIS STAGE IT HAS ABOUT 1-INCH PLAY IN ALL DIRECTIONS, FEEL UNSAFE WHEN STEERING. REPAIR SHOP SAID IT IS COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS CAR; REPAIR INVOLVES REMOVING MOST UPPER COMPONENTS AND TIGHTENING 2 BOLTS AT BASE OF COLUMN AT DASHBOARD. BECAUSE OF COMPLEXITY OF DISASSEMBLY, REPAIR REQUIRES 2 TO 3 HOURS @ $75/HOUR NYC RATES. I FEEL THIS TYPE OF DEFECT SHOULD HAVE SOME RECOURSE THROUGH MANUFACTURER SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVEABILITY ISSUE WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT CORRECTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
765912
Body & structure
Filed Apr 5, 2000

BACK DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. WHILE DRIVING, DOOR MAY COME OPEN WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK. *AK

NHTSA ID
859730
Incident
Jan 1, 1992
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 4, 1998
Crash reported

CONSUMER STARTED AUTOMOBILE AND THE PAWL WAS IN PARK. WHEN SHE PLACED IT IN DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE SUDDLENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *AK

NHTSA ID
831845
Incident
Nov 30, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 17, 1997

FUEL THROTTLE LINKAE SYSTEM PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
523842
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 27, 1997

ENGINE RACES WHEN FIRST STARTED.

NHTSA ID
517480
Incident
Oct 14, 1996
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 10, 1997
Crash reported

WHEN TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE ITS SPEED, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ID
808160
Incident
Jan 26, 1997
Visibility
Filed Nov 20, 1996

WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
602290
Incident
Sep 8, 1990
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Oct 28, 1996

A/C LEAKS DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION AT FACTORY.

NHTSA ID
601986
Incident
Oct 13, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile Ciera by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996831046.2
1995341045.3
1994464053.8
1990Viewing202160.3
1989311149.2
1988251349.2
1987171557.8
1986140443.6
1985804—
1984326—
1983015—
1982004—
1981001—
1980001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.