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 20 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.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2002
Steering
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 TIGHTEN…
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #765912
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2000
Structure
BACK DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. WHILE DRIVING, DOOR MAY COME OPEN WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859730
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1998
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
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
NHTSA ODI #831845
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control
FUEL THROTTLE LINKAE SYSTEM PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #523842
Mileage unknown · May 27, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
ENGINES STALLS.
NHTSA ODI #517480
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 1997
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
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
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
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
1990 Oldsmobile Ciera Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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