1996 Oldsmobile Ciera Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera, and owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Anchorage (seat belts)
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."
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.
83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA; 10 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 10 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 56,333 miles. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 23 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 w”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 30, 2004 · Engine and engine cooling
“Lower intake manifold gasket leak into oil”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 15, 2004 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera (Ciera SL, Ciera SL Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21–24 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–21 / 26–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars, Midsize-Large Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.2/3.1 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Oldsmobile Ciera model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Oldsmobile Ciera model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 Oldsmobile Ciera | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Oldsmobile Ciera | 2 | 3 |
| 1985 Oldsmobile Ciera | 0 | 8 |
| 1986 Oldsmobile Ciera | 0 | 14 |
| 1987 Oldsmobile Ciera | 1 | 17 |
| 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera | 1 | 25 |
| 1989 Oldsmobile Ciera | 1 | 31 |
| 1990 Oldsmobile Ciera | 2 | 20 |
| 1994 Oldsmobile Ciera | 4 | 46 |
| 1995 Oldsmobile Ciera | 1 | 34 |
| 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera | 1 | 83 |
Checking a specific 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
How do I know if my 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Oldsmobile dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 95V173000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Oldsmobile models
- Alero1,957 complaints
- Cutlass1,609 complaints
- Intrigue1,140 complaints
- Bravada962 complaints
- Silhouette950 complaints
- 88931 complaints
- Aurora786 complaints
- Achieva416 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.