1996 Oldsmobile CIERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 17.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 17.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1996: 3; 2000: 8; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 2; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 721469 · 2000-04-14 (April 14, 2000)
SEVERAL COMPONENTS HAVE PREMATURELY DETERIORATED CALLING INTO QUESTION SAFETY OF OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS OLD, BUT HAS LESS THAN 29,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS ALL SEEM TO DEAL WITH RUBBER (OR SIMILAR MATERIAL) COMPONENTS. THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING. THE LEFT SIDE AXLE SEAL AND COVER ON THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS ALREADY CRACKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. (THE SERPENTINE BELT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, IF SO DESIRED). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722871 · 2000-05-18 (May 18, 2000)
OCT 99 WHILE DRIVING HEARD A NOISE $ VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD.CONTACTED DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC TO BRING VEHICLE IN . HAD VEHICLE TOWED. TRANSMISSION'S REVERSE WENT OUT. TRANSMISSION REPAIR WAS $2,200 . THIS CAR IS UNSAFE PLEASE RECALL IT. PLEASE SEND REBATE TO HELP REPAIR OR GET NEW VEHICLE. THANKS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550730 · 2000-02-04 (February 4, 2000)
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE CABLE BROKE, RESULTING IN THE PARKING BRAKE STICKING. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857804 · 2000-03-02 (March 2, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8011954 · 2002-06-17 (June 17, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT FOR 2 MINUTES AND START BACK UP, AND STALL BACK OUT AGAIN WITHOUT ANY WARNING.CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, CANNOT FIND PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8011954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863817 · 2000-06-20 (June 20, 2000)
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF AND COME TO A DEAD STOP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS REPLACED SOME WIRING. REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863817 at NHTSA ↗