RoadVitals

1994 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.
46
Latest Jan 30, 2003
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.
4
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.
0
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.
7
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 46 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Oldsmobile Ciera, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 11 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Brakes1223.1%
  • Engine815.4%
  • Driver assistance611.5%
  • Tires & wheels47.7%
  • Visibility35.8%
  • Electrical35.8%
  • Body & structure35.8%
  • Suspension35.8%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
94V189000

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Oct 4, 1994
206 units potentially affected
The defect: THE RIGHT HAND SPINDLE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND OVER TIME, THE SPINDLE CAN FRACTURE.
The risk: THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE RIGHT HAND FRONT SPINDLE NUT. IF THE SPINDLE NUT IS UNDERTORQUED THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT HAND FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY AND THE SPINDLE NUT WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
94V159000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Aug 31, 1994
139,542 units potentially affected
The defect: WATER INTRUSION CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY.
The risk: A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER DOOR LOCK RELAY AND ANY CORRODED TERMINALS. IN ADDITION, THE NEW RELAY WILL BE RELOCATED TO AN AREA WHERE WATER INTRUSION IS LESS LIKELY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 46
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 30, 2003

I HAVE FIRESTONE SUPREME RADIAL TIRES ON MY 94 CUTLESS SIERRA. ABOUT A MONTH AGO ONE WENT FLAT. I NOTICED TREAD SEPARTION AT THE SITE OF THE FLAT BUT DISCOUNTED IT. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH INTERSTATE MY OTHER FRONT TIRE SAME BRAND HAD THE ENTIRE TREAD SEPARATE. THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED AS I PULLED OFF THE ROAD. MY TWO REAR TIRES ARE THE SAME MODEL AND I AM CONSERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THESE TIRES. I HAD CHECKED THE PRESSURE IN ALL 4 TIRES LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AND THEY WERE TO MANUFATOROR SPECS.

NHTSA ID
10004937
Incident
Jan 29, 2003
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Aug 28, 2002

WHEN VEHICLE EXCEEDS 65MPH, THE FRONT END VIBRATES, CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, AND CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER CAN ALSO FEEL THE SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER SAYS IF SHE DRIVES OVER 68 MPH, THE SHAKING SEEMS TO IMPROVE SOMEWHAT. THIS SITUATION HAS WORN OUT THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAS HAD A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF ALIGNMENTS, BALANCING OF TIRES-FORCED ALIGNMENT. CONSUMER HAS PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES, THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN TO A STOP OR WHEN ONE DRIVES ABOUT 20 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRAME SHAKES. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8017422
Incident
Oct 2, 1995
Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2001

DEFECTIVE FUEL SYSTEM

NHTSA ID
9003644
Incident
Jul 4, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 15, 2000

4 PASSENGER CAR REPLACEMENT TIRES PURCHASED FROM FIRESTONE ON JULY 23, 1999 AT 64,097 MILES; TREAD COMPLETELY PEELED OFF OF ONE OF THE TIRES ON AUGUST 15, 2000 AT 83,685 MILES.( DOT NUMBER: FR360 TIRE SIZE: 18575R14 )

NHTSA ID
734356
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 25, 2000

DURING RAINY WEATHER THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT GETS WET AND SLIP, SLIPPAGE RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER ACCELERATION AND MAKES CAR PRONE TO REAR COLLISION, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS, SLIPPAGE ALSO CAUSES ALL ACCESSORIES POWERED BY THE BELT TO LOSE POWER

NHTSA ID
9001358
Incident
May 1, 1999
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2000

IN 1/00 AT 56000 MILES BLOWN HEADGASKET,,, FACTORY COVERED REPAIR WITH $300 DEDUCTIBLE..REPAIR DONE AT MARVIN K. BROWN OLDSMOBILE IN SAN DIEGO......MOVED TO FLORIDA 10/99 HAD CAR SHIPPED ON TRUCK ....6/00 HEADGASKET BLOWN AGAIN AT 73,000 .. THIS CAR NEVER OVERHEATED!!!AT FACTORIES REQUEST I HAD CAR CHECKED OUT BY KING OLDSMOBILE , DEERFIELD BEACH, FL...THEY CONFIRMED BLOW HEAD GASKET...FACTORY DENIED CALIM...SAID CAR WAS TOO OLD AND TOO MUCH MILEAGE...THEN WHY DID THEY REQUIRE ME TO SPEND $77.30 AT KING OLDS..IF THEY ALREADY MADE THERE DECISION....I THINK THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE THAT GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT ADMIT..I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE...THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS...BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING AS YOU KNOW GM'S REPUTATION IN DECEIVING THE PUBLIC WHEN IT MAY COST THEN MONEY...I APPRECIATE YOU HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID
724371
Incident
Jun 7, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 25, 2000
Crash reported

PARKED AT A DRIVE IN PHARMACY, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND IT LURCHED BACKWARD, HITTING VEHICLE BEHIND THE CONSUMER. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. CONTACTED DEALER . DEALER FOUND A VACUUM LEAK ON THE UPPER INTAKE NEAR THE THROTTLE. THEY REPAIRED VACUUM LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
860922
Incident
Mar 15, 2000
Seat belts
Filed May 12, 1999

DRIVER'S/PASSENGERS' SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT OR LOCK UP IN EMERGENCY STOPPING. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
837800

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

776001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INFORMATION CONCERNING ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE OR TAP NOISE BEFORE ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR UNDER LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE (REPLACE PISTON AND/OR ROD ASSEMBLIES). AK

776001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

KNOCK, RATTLE OR TAP NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE THE ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR UNDER LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE KNOCK, RATTLE OR TAP NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE THE ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR UNDER LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS AT RATURE (REPLACE PISTON AND/OR ROD ASSEMBLIES). *TW

577106A

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW

577106A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW

576124

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

COLD ENGINE TICK OR RATTLE AFTER START-UP (REPLACE PISTON/PIN ASSEMBLY). *SD

535013

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS DTC 34 AND/OR 35 MAY BE SET (REPLACE/REPAIR HARNESS). *SD

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile Ciera by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996831046.2
1995341045.3
1994Viewing464053.8
1990202160.3
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.