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1986 Oldsmobile Ciera

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
14Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

4Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1986 Oldsmobile Ciera

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 14 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 4 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Steering: 5 reports
  • Electrical System: 2 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2 reports
  • Visibility: 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    0
    1983    3
    1984    8
    1985    14
    1986    17
    1987    25
    1988    31
    1989
    Compare all Ciera years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Steering
    5    Electrical System
    2    Engine And Engine Cooling
    2    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    2    Visibility
    2
    All reported categories
    Seat Belts
    1    Structure
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    Limited mileage data: 0 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

    Structure complaints

    1 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
    Structure

    WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A CRASH BY SWERVING TO THE LEFT FRAME OF VEHICLE BROKE. DRIVER NOTICED FRAME WAS BROKEN WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING. ENGINE FELL FORWARD AND CUT RADIATOR HOSE. MOTOR MOUNTS ARE THE ONLY ONES HOLDING UP THE ENGINE. A DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BY THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALERS…

    Read full complaint

    WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A CRASH BY SWERVING TO THE LEFT FRAME OF VEHICLE BROKE. DRIVER NOTICED FRAME WAS BROKEN WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING. ENGINE FELL FORWARD AND CUT RADIATOR HOSE. MOTOR MOUNTS ARE THE ONLY ONES HOLDING UP THE ENGINE. A DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BY THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #873084

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    4

    PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure

    Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

    There is no summary currently available

    PE91120 · Front Brake Disc/hub Sep

    Opened Aug 30, 1991 · Closed Nov 4, 1991

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    There is no summary currently available

    EA87022 · Stalling

    Opened Aug 27, 1987 · Closed Nov 27, 1991

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

    SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT STALLING IS DUE TO VARIOUS FAULTYCOMPONENTS OF THE FUEL INJECTION AND/OR IGNITION SYSTEM. THE FOLLOWINGMODELS ARE INVOLVED:BUICK ELECTRA, LESABRE, RIVERA, CENTURY; OLDS CUTLASSCIERA, 88, 98, TORONADO; PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.STATUS:THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.WE ARE CONTINUING TO ANALYZEINFORMATION PROVIDED BY GM AND ARE PREPARING AN ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONREQUEST TO GM TO CLARIFY CERTAIN TECHNICAL ITEMS.===

    EA87006 · Power St. Assist

    Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Sep 19, 1988

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

    SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.