1990 Oldsmobile CIERA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 23.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 23.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484743 · 1995-08-05 (August 5, 1995)
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD FROM PARKED POSITION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504473 · 1996-05-13 (May 13, 1996)
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FELL ALMOST 3 INCHES DUE TO RUSTY HINGE/POOR WELDING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 765912 · 2002-08-20 (August 20, 2002)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 765912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859730 · 2000-04-05 (April 5, 2000)
BACK DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. WHILE DRIVING, DOOR MAY COME OPEN WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959143 · 1995-01-25 (January 25, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED DURING ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962519 · 1995-03-24 (March 24, 1995)
ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAIL WHEN DRIVING AND TRY STOP AT A STOP SIGN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965357 · 1995-05-15 (May 15, 1995)
SPOT WELDING ON FRONT BY CONSOLE BROKE LOOSE; BACK REST WIGGLES WHILE OCCUPIED; SPLIT BENCH SEATS; VEHICLE NEVER INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968542 · 1995-07-11 (July 11, 1995)
FLASHERS FAILED, ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968542 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
92V124000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 1992-09-01 (September 1, 1992)
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V173000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1995-09-15 (September 15, 1995)
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗