Oldsmobile Ciera Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 278 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Oldsmobile Ciera (1985–1996) that have at least 5 complaints. 1996 has the most, with 83. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (58 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Ciera model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 83 | 60,000 | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 34 | — | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 46 | — | 4 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 20 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 31 | — | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 25 | — | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 17 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 14 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 8 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes58 24%
- Engine cooling44 18%
- Vehicle speed control32 13%
- Electrical system28 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain25 10%
- Seat belts23 9.4%
- Body and structure17 7.0%
- Steering17 7.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1996: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10057248, filed 2004-01, 44,000 miles1994: “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 complaint #10004937, filed 2003-011995: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #733248, filed 2000-10Other Oldsmobile models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology