1995 Oldsmobile Ciera Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Oldsmobile Ciera, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1023.8%
- Engine819.0%
- Transmission49.5%
- Seat belts49.5%
- Airbags37.1%
- Electrical37.1%
- Steering24.8%
- Interior & seats24.8%
- Driver assistance24.8%
- Fuel system12.4%
- Suspension12.4%
- Tires & wheels12.4%
- Body & structure12.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
APPLYING BRAKE ON ICY ROAD DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE AT ALL.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL LEAKED ONTO ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS. *JB
TRANSMISSION WHEN HOT WILL NOT SHIFT TO OVERDIVE; ENGINE RATTLES WHEN STARTED COLD
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING VEHICLE ROLLOVER COLLISION DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN PROPERLY CAUSING DRIVER TO SLIDE RESULTING IN INJURIES. MJS
SEAT BELT RECALL WORK FAILED, DURING COLLISION SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK RESULTING IN INJURIES TO HEAD AND NECK OF OCCUPANTS, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEFLATE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT RECALL WORK FAILED, DURING COLLISION SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK RESULTING IN INJURIES TO HEAD AND NECK OF OCCUPANTS, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEFLATE.
OTHER: REQUESTING REMOVAL OF AIR BAG.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, EMITS BURNING SMELL DUE TO BLOWN FUSE. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING BOTH TIE RODS BROKE, CAUSING T LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS REARENDED IN CRASH WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT. WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLE HIT FROM BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED WHILE CONSUMER WAS BELTED IN THE SEAT. CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK/SHOULDER AND ARM INJURIES. SEATBACK HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY SUNRISE OLDSMOBILE DEARLERSHIP. (NO FORWARDING ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER.) *AK
WELDS IN DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO FALL BACKWARDS. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
GOT INTO VEHICLE & SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. HAPPENED 2 TIMES. HIT CEMENT BLOCKS. 1ST TIME DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE/FIX PROBLEM. *AK
SPEED CONTROL SENSOR HARNESS FAILED. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .