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1996 Oldsmobile CieraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 83 owner complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

31
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.3× the Ciera median · #1 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8320 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem21Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 30, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera has problems

83 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
Service brakes, hydraulic213
Engine and engine cooling150
Power train110
Air bags86
Electrical system81
Structure61
Vehicle speed control51
Suspension40
Fuel system, gasoline40
9 other systems122

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

1 recall

1996 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 →

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

1996 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
In owners' words

What Ciera owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST BOOSTER WHEN BRAKE ACTION SEEMED INEFFECTIVE, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*AK
Complaint 983482 · Apr 23, 1996
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
Complaint 879508 · Jan 31, 2001
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
Complaint 857804 · Mar 2, 2000

Own a 1996 Ciera?

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