RoadVitals

1995 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.
34
Latest May 20, 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.
1
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.
5
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Oldsmobile Ciera, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Brakes1023.8%
  • Engine819.0%
  • Transmission49.5%
  • Seat belts49.5%
  • Airbags37.1%
  • Electrical37.1%
  • Steering24.8%
  • Interior & seats24.8%

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

1 campaign 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 34
Engine
Filed May 20, 2003

OIL LEAKED ONTO ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10020209
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 17, 2002

WHILE IN MOTION, VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE, CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT THAT INTENSE VIBRATION,CONSUMER PULLED INTO A GOOD YEAR TIRE CENTER. ONE TIRE HAD SHREDDED, WHICH WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE FOR TIRE INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE OTHER THREE WERE DEFECTIVE ALSO. *JG (MICHELIN TIRES)

NHTSA ID
566098
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed Feb 20, 2001

ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IS DRAINING BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WHEN VEHICLE IS IN OFF POSITION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPLACING DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *YH

NHTSA ID
880761
BrakesFuel systemTransmission
Filed Oct 2, 2000

4 FUEL PUMPS, 2 TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN REPLACED,HAS A 3.8 ENGINE IN IT, IT IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE A 3.1 ENGINE IN IT,RELAY SWITCH REPLACED AT WHICH TIME FOUND THAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD BEEN RUNNING HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE THE WHOLE TIME WE OWNED THE CAR, 1 ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MOTOR IN RESULT OF ELECTRICAL, 1 VACUUM MANIFOLD, TO TOP IT OF WE FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS BUILT ON A FRIDAY! WHAT LUCK ? THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FIRST TWO FUEL PUMPS THAT FAILED/WE THINK BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOT PUT IN RIGHT. MY MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THE CAR HAS A PICKUP ENGINE IN IT INSTEAD OF WHAT IT SHOULD. MY HUSBAND & I ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR & THE MANUFACTURE THAT BUILT THIS CAR SO POORLY!! *AK

NHTSA ID
733248
Steering
Filed Aug 8, 2000

WHILE DRIVING BOTH TIE RODS BROKE, CAUSING T LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
867126
Transmission
Filed Jul 29, 2000

REVERSE SHELL CRACKED AND EXPLODED SENDING SHRAPNEL THROUHOUT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION, DAMAGING MANY MORE PARTS OF TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAD NEVER SEEN A REVERSE SHELL CHEWED UP AND DEMOLISHED AS THIS ONE. INCIDENTALLY, REPLACEMENT NEW PART IS MADE OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL- CARBON STEEL.

NHTSA ID
726193
Incident
Jul 18, 2000
Suspension
Filed Jul 14, 2000

WHILE GOING ABOUT 55 OR 70 MPH ENGINE WILL START VIBRATING. COULD FEEL IT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE TIME OF SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING. *AK

NHTSA ID
865436
Incident
Jul 12, 2000
Transmission
Filed Feb 6, 2000

REVERSE DRUM EXPLODED AND SENT SHRAPNEL THROUGH THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION UPON ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CAR FLEW THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR CAUSING MY HEAD TO SNAP BACK RESUKTING IN A VERY STIFF NECK.

NHTSA ID
718383
Incident
Aug 1, 1999

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

577106

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW

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
1995Viewing341045.3
1994464053.8
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.