AI Damage1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 14% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
When negotiating a corner, the engine ignition switch inside of the steering column disconnected, the engine stopped, the power steering and the power brakes failed. The steering wheel wobbled from side to side.
Engine problem : for the past 3yrs.the ignition module continues to go bad and prevents the fuel pump and the spark plugs to work causing the engine to stall out and laeving me stranded.we replaced the module several times and even replaced the distributor and the problem continues.
Seat belt failure on passenger side front, fails to retract.
Right front end of vehicles frame has dipped. Please provide any additional information.
Vehicle would shimmy and as the speed increased it would shimmy very much. Mechanic stated that it was a tire. Four tires were purchased, vehicle still has the same problem. Mechanic states that it is a broken lower right ball joint. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
Consumer's son said it was a braking failure and lost steering control. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
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 12,539 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cutlass Ciera has 4 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (29%), brake failure (14%), engine failure or replacement (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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 1987 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.