Model year record

1990 Oldsmobile Ciera recalls & problems

The 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera has 2 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (7 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints20filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsSep 15, 1995

Front › Anchorage

Recall 95V1730002,216,325 vehicles

Problem: 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."
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.
Fix: 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.

SeatsSep 1, 1992

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 92V124000319,181 vehicles

Problem: THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Risk: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Fix: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Cruise control	7	5	1	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Ignition	3	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	3	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	1	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Front › Buckle assembly	2	1	2	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments	2	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	1	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal › Flasher unit	1	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	1	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	1	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
BEGAN NOTICING STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED INTO DESIRED ANGLE. FURTHER NOTICED ENTIRE WHEEL WOULD HAVE SIDE-TO-SIDE MOVEMENT. AT THIS STAGE IT HAS ABOUT 1-INCH PLAY IN ALL DIRECTIONS, FEEL UNSAFE WHEN STEERING. REPAIR SHOP SAID IT IS COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS CAR; REPAIR INVOLVES REMOVING MOST UPPER COMPONENTS AND TIGHTENING 2 BOLTS AT BASE OF COLUMN AT DASHBOARD. BECAUSE OF COMPLEXITY OF DISASSEMBLY, REPAIR REQUIRES 2 TO 3 HOURS @ $75/HOUR NYC RATES. I FEEL THIS TYPE OF DEFECT SHOULD HAVE SOME RECOURSE THROUGH MANUFACTURER SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVEABILITY ISSUE WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT CORRECTED.*AK
Aug 20, 2002
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
BACK DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. WHILE DRIVING, DOOR MAY COME OPEN WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK. *AK
Jan 1, 1992
Vehicle speed control › CablesCrash
CONSUMER STARTED AUTOMOBILE AND THE PAWL WAS IN PARK. WHEN SHE PLACED IT IN DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE SUDDLENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *AK
Nov 30, 1998
Vehicle speed control
FUEL THROTTLE LINKAE SYSTEM PROBLEM.
Oct 17, 1997
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
ENGINES STALLS.
Oct 14, 1996
Vehicle speed control › LinkagesCrash
WHEN TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE ITS SPEED, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK
Jan 26, 1997
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
Sep 8, 1990
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
A/C LEAKS DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION AT FACTORY.
Oct 13, 1996

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94048 · opened Jun 21, 1994 · closed Dec 30, 1994