Menu

1990 Oldsmobile CieraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 20 owner complaints about the 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints208 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 20, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera has problems

20 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control75
Electrical system30
Engine and engine cooling30
Service brakes, hydraulic21
Seat belts21
Structure20
Visibility10
Equipment10
Exterior lighting10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1990 Oldsmobile Ciera recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 95V-173 · Sep 15, 1995 · 2,216,325 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 92V-124 · Sep 1, 1992 · 319,181 vehicles

Risk. THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other Ciera year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Ciera median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'94'95'96
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILUREPE94048 · closed Dec 30, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Ciera owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 831845 · Dec 4, 1998
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
Complaint 808160 · Mar 10, 1997

Own a 1990 Ciera?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.