1996 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 1996 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
- Brakes2222.9%
- Engine1515.6%
- Transmission1010.4%
- Airbags88.3%
- Electrical77.3%
- Body & structure66.3%
- Driver assistance55.2%
- Interior & seats44.2%
- Fuel system44.2%
- Suspension44.2%
- Visibility33.1%
- Powertrain (other)22.1%
- Exterior lighting22.1%
- Heating & air conditioning11.0%
- Steering11.0%
- Seat belts11.0%
- Other / unspecified11.0%
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
VEHICLE SKIDS IF APPLYING BRAKES ON LEAST AMOUNT OF ICE OR SLUSH. LOW TRACTION LIGHTS COMES ON, AND ABS LOCKS UP. *AK CONSUMER SAYS ABS IS NOT USEFUL IN WINTER DRIVING. *YH
BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM CYLINDERS, WHICH RESULTED IN NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH., REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS LEAK LEADING TO TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, VERY UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING. AK *ML
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEAD GASKET LEAKED. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT WHEN HE WENT INTO GARAGE THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE CHECKED OUT BY MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A HEAD GASKET LEAK. CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE TO HAVE VEHICLE REPAIRED. CONSUMER FELT THAT OLDSMOBILE SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK INTO OIL
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT FOR 2 MINUTES AND START BACK UP, AND STALL BACK OUT AGAIN WITHOUT ANY WARNING.CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, CANNOT FIND PROBLEM.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE LIGHT ANF FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. NLM
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH VEHICLE HYDROPLANED INTO A DITCH AND IMPACTED A TREE HEAD-ON. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WAS SENDING AN INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR POOR PERFORMANCE OF AIR BAG. DRIVER EXPERIENCED LIGHT INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY. HAD REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED VEHICLE. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF AND COME TO A DEAD STOP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS REPLACED SOME WIRING. REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK *ML
PINK WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT AT POINT OF ANCHOR CAUSING ENGINE TO STOP. MJS
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
REAR GLASS TO HATCH BROKE TWICE DUE TO REAR HATCH STRUT APPLYING TOO MUCH PRESSURE TO GLASS.
RIGHT SIDE DOOR SEAL FAILS EACH TIME IT RAINS.
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
WHILE YIELDING ONTO HIGHWAY, STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, AFTER RELEASING PEDAL, ACCELERATED AT 80MPH. THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, HAD TO GEAR INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. *AK *TT
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION AND INJURIES.
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
DRIVERS SEAT IS SEPARATING FROM ANCHOR. *AK ANCHOR WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED TO FLOOR BOARD. *YH
PINK WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT AT POINT OF ANCHOR CAUSING ENGINE TO STOP. MJS
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
SEVERAL COMPONENTS HAVE PREMATURELY DETERIORATED CALLING INTO QUESTION SAFETY OF OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS OLD, BUT HAS LESS THAN 29,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS ALL SEEM TO DEAL WITH RUBBER (OR SIMILAR MATERIAL) COMPONENTS. THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING. THE LEFT SIDE AXLE SEAL AND COVER ON THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS ALREADY CRACKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. (THE SERPENTINE BELT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, IF SO DESIRED). *AK
FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES.
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
VEHICLE CONTINUE TO HAVE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS.
VEHICLE VIBRATION CAUSES VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL OVER 65 MPH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
STRUT ARMS THAT HOLD THE TAILGATE IN POSITION ARE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS TO SHATTER TWICE WITHIN A YEAR AND HALF APART. DEFECT COULD CAUSE INJURIES. *AK
WHEN THE SUN STARTS TO GO DOWN IT IS HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THERE WATER BUBBLES ARE ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD INSIDE OF THE GLASS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERAL COMPONENTS HAVE PREMATURELY DETERIORATED CALLING INTO QUESTION SAFETY OF OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS OLD, BUT HAS LESS THAN 29,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS ALL SEEM TO DEAL WITH RUBBER (OR SIMILAR MATERIAL) COMPONENTS. THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING. THE LEFT SIDE AXLE SEAL AND COVER ON THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS ALREADY CRACKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. (THE SERPENTINE BELT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, IF SO DESIRED). *AK
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS BELIEVED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRIVELINE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES TREMENDOUSLY AFTER APPROACHING 60 MPH AND OVER. THE STEERING WHEEL BOUNCES AND DASHBOARD RATTLES, CAUSING IT TO BE A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS GO OFF OCCASIONALLY.
WHILE DRIVING THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD CUT OFF WITH UT INDICATIONS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES.
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
WHEN AVOIDING AN UNCONTROLLED VEHICLE, OWNER ROLLED INTO A DRIVEWAY THAT HAD A SLOPE. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND RAN INTO HOUSE, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED W/DOORS LOCKING AND FACIAL AND BODILY INJURIES. *AK
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
THE CAR WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE STOPPED AND THE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS DID NOT HOLD US IN PLACE. DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WOULD NOT HOLD AIR PRESSURE DUE TO WELDING FAILURE.
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 .