1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › Ciera › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera. Newest first.
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."
Risk and remedy
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. 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.
Owner complaints
83 complaints10 involved a crash1 involved a fire10 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
Lower intake manifold gasket leak into oil
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket leaked. consumer indicated that when he went into garage there was water on the floor. consumer had vehicle checked out by mechanic, who determined there was a head gasket leak. Consumer was quoted a price to have vehicle repaired. consumer felt that oldsmobile should repair the problem free of charge since this was a common problem with this vehicle.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Lower intake manifold gasket leak on gm 3.1 l V6. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The engine stopped working in december of 2002. which had to be replaced. *jb
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The car was hit from behind while stopped and the seat and shoulder belts did not hold us in place. dt
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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
- Vehicle speed control
While yielding onto highway, stepped on gas pedal to accelerate, after releasing pedal, accelerated at 80mph. Throttle became stuck and vehicle continued to accelerate, had to gear into neutral to slow vehicle down. *ak *tt
- Power train › Manual transmission
Consumer states the service engine light illuminated without warning dealership has serviced the vehicle light anf found that the transmission had failed. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
The oxygen sensor failed causing the check engine light to illuminate. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Was driving vehicle and noticed coolant was getting low. Checked under hood, and fluid was on engine. Head gasket was leaking from right side. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While traveling at approximately 40 mph vehicle hydroplaned into a ditch and impacted a tree head-on. driver's air bag failed to deploy. manufacturer was sending an investigator to examine vehicle, and determine a cause for poor performance of air bag. driver experienced light injuries. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Seats
Drivers seat IS separating from anchor. *ak anchor was not properly secured to floor board. *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
#6 cylinder failed resulting in engine failure. Dealer wants to rebuild or replace with a new engine. consumer feels this major engine problem should not have happend at 44K miles. nlm
- Electrical system › Wiring · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system · Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
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…
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission went out due to a hardened stove pipe gm# 24202422. the part became defective (eaten up). transmission shop stated that it shouldn't have worn out so fast. *Ak *ML
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Wheel cylinders · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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
- Parking brake › Driveline › Hydraulic
Parking brake release cable broke, resulting in the parking brake sticking. Yh
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving vehicle over 25 mph and stepping on the brake pedal to stop, the vehicle wouldn't stop. consumer had taken vehicle to dealer for repairs 5 times where dealer had found metal chafing, and they had to rotate brakes. *Ak *ML
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Pink wire in the wiring harness shorted out at point of anchor causing engine to stop. Mjs
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving had 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 would go only into drive. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
At 13,000 miles , the brakes needed to be replaced , there was no indictation of brakes wearning out, no squeaky noise dealer claims brakes are very thin. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The ABS system activates under normal braking conditions making it hard to slow and stop the vehicle. nlm
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 52935Information concerning engine knock/rattle or tap noise before engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies). Ak
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 51302Knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at rature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
Every Oldsmobile Ciera model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.