The 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,535,506 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1730001995-09-152,216,325 affected
Defect
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.
SEATS92V1240001992-09-01319,181 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
3crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints24
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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”
“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”
“Water pump failed 3 times.”
“Alternator failed.”
“Engines stalls.”
“Engine races when first started.”
“A/c leaks due to improper installation at factory.”
“Driver's side door fell almost 3 inches due to rusty hinge/poor welding. *sd”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE94048 Opened 1994-06-21 · closed 1994-12-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.