FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Analysis Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Recall lookup Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

1987 Oldsmobile Ciera problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1987 Oldsmobile Ciera with NHTSA between 1995 and 1999. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Oldsmobile Ciera
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

27

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

How 1987 compares with every other Oldsmobile Ciera

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1987 Oldsmobile Ciera

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 6 22.2%
Steering 4 14.8%
Seat Belts 3 11.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 11.1%

3 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 3 11.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 2 7.4%
Body & Structure 2 7.4%
Other & Unspecified 1 3.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 3.7%
Suspension 1 3.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 1995 peak 7 Oct 1999

NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Oldsmobile Ciera

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE94048 Opened 21 Jun 1994 Closed 30 Dec 1994 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE

EA89026 Opened 12 Jun 1989 Closed 9 Oct 1990 STEERING

LOSS OF POWER STEERING

SUMMARY: THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE A FAILURE OF THE PRESSURE HOSECONNECTED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP.USED ONLY ON THE 4 CYL MODELS.THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND EACH GM DIVISION HAS ISSUED ASERVICE BULLETIN.WARRANTY CLAIMS AND PARTS SALES ARE VERY HIGH.===

PE89105 Opened 20 Mar 1989 Closed 12 Jun 1989 STEERING

POWER STEERING HOSE FAILS

===

EA89010 Opened 17 Jan 1989 Closed 8 May 1990 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

EA87022 Opened 27 Aug 1987 Closed 27 Nov 1991 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

STALLING

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.===

Recalls on the 1987 Oldsmobile Ciera

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

87V034000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.

Risk: IF WINDSHIELD GLASS SEPARATION OCCURS DURING ANACCIDENT, AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND INJURED.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1987035 24 units in Canada

Structure

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 212 - WINDSHIELD MOUNTING. - POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING. CORRECTION: WINDSHIELDS WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Recall 1987007 1,464 units in Canada

Emissions

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE - NOTE : VEHICLES WITH 3.0 LITRE AND 3.8 LITRE ENGINES.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Springfiel, MO 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD PASSENGER IN PLACE DURING IMPACT, CAUSING INJURY. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hicksville, NY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY CAR ACCELERATE HIT FENCE . TT

NHTSA complaint #971335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville, MD Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A BRICK WALL. TT

NHTSA complaint #964844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BRAKE DID NOT RESPOND, TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AGAIN RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA complaint #959983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BRAKE DID NOT RESPOND, TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AGAIN RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA complaint #959983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Nederland, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLS, CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL.*AK CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM STALLING SUCH AS, ENGINE MOUNTS,TIMING CHAIN, FUEL INJECTORS WERE CLEANED, FULE FILTER WAS REPLACED,THROTTLE SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL SEEMS TO PERSIST.

NHTSA complaint #849736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nederland, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLS, CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL.*AK CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM STALLING SUCH AS, ENGINE MOUNTS,TIMING CHAIN, FUEL INJECTORS WERE CLEANED, FULE FILTER WAS REPLACED,THROTTLE SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL SEEMS TO PERSIST.

NHTSA complaint #849736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nederland, CO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLS, CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL.*AK CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM STALLING SUCH AS, ENGINE MOUNTS,TIMING CHAIN, FUEL INJECTORS WERE CLEANED, FULE FILTER WAS REPLACED,THROTTLE SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL SEEMS TO PERSIST.

NHTSA complaint #849736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nederland, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLS, CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL.*AK CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM STALLING SUCH AS, ENGINE MOUNTS,TIMING CHAIN, FUEL INJECTORS WERE CLEANED, FULE FILTER WAS REPLACED,THROTTLE SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL SEEMS TO PERSIST.

NHTSA complaint #849736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newtown, CT

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHENEVER DRIVING STEERING MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE RACK & PINION FAILURE, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. ALSO MAKES LOUD NOISES. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #838326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAUSED THE RACK AND PINION TEFLON TO NYLON JOINT TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #541769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conneaut, OH

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE A MAJOR FRAME COMPONENT BROKE LOOSE AT BOTH FRONT MOUNTING POINTS, CAUSING ENGINE AND MOST EVERYTHING CONNECTED TO IT TO DROP ALMOST TO THE GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #518851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED, CAUSING FUEL TO BE RELEASED DIRECTLY INTO ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #517009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOW INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #601895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

HEADLINER CAME OFF.(1ST VEHICLE ON 601896)

NHTSA complaint #601895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

BOLTS SECURING POWER STEERING PUMP IN PLACE EITHER BROKE OR IS MISSING, CAUSING POWER STEERING PUMP TO FALL OFF, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER.

NHTSA complaint #507511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS DAMP THE BRAKES GRAB, SOMETIMES THEY SQUEAL AND SOMETIMES THEY CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK AND YOU SKID A LITTLE.

NHTSA complaint #802483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION SLIPS.

NHTSA complaint #503832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfiel, MO 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD PASSENGER IN PLACE DURING IMPACT, CAUSING INJURY. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LEAKY VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #503832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #503832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

MUFFLER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #503832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE STALLED AFTER PANIC STOP.

NHTSA complaint #503832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lagrangevill, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE ENGINE STALLS/HESITATION/STUMBLE/STOP. TT

NHTSA complaint #977120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LAP BELTS DON'T LOCK UP . TT

NHTSA complaint #976134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lindenhurst, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANT W/SAME CONDITION AFTER REPLACEMENT.TT THE RETRACTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING AND DID NOT HOLD DRIVER IN PLACE, IF YOU STOP SHORT OR IN AN ACCIDENT, SEAT BELT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE, CONSUMER CALLED MANUFACTURER AND COMPLAINED BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

NHTSA complaint #974567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hicksville, NY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY CAR ACCELERATE HIT FENCE . TT

NHTSA complaint #971335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Peters, MO

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

THE STEERING WHEEL IS WOBBLY AND AFTER YOU ADJUST IT, IT WILL NOT LOCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #968467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville, MD Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A BRICK WALL. TT

NHTSA complaint #964844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.