AI Damage1986 Oldsmobile Ciera: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Oldsmobile Ciera filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 36% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 7% of all complaints
- Steering: 5 complaints (36% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Driver noticed frame was broken when vehicle began overheating. Engine fell forward and cut radiator hose. Motor mounts are the only ones holding up the engine. A dealership was contacted by the vehicle. Vehicle has not been seen by the dealership . Please provide any further information.
Power steering unit is failing while driving the vehicle. The steering wheel would sometimes be hard to turn at random or consumer would have to wait a few minute before steering returned. Consumer believed this is not a normal wear at 66000 miles. Dealer notified.
When trying to park the steering becomes very difficult. Consumer states that during time the steering wheel has been becoming more difficult to turn in to parking or out of a street and behind and between cars, consumer states great effort is needed in turning steering wheel.
Steering locks up briefly when car is beginning to move.
When using heater, smell of anti freeze/gas like odor enters into interior compartment; causes film to build up on windshield; impossible to defrost. Tt
The vehicle hesitates when you try to start in the morning. Tt
Vehicles front passenger and passenger seat belts are inoperative. Tt
Vehicles rear braking system lock-up when hard braking occurs. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,552 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ciera has 26 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Oldsmobile Ciera?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (14%), A/C or heater (7%), hesitation when accelerating (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 Oldsmobile Ciera?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1986 Oldsmobile Ciera from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1986 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.