Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1987 Oldsmobile Ciera — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
27
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
5
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 22% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 4 | 15% | — flat |
| Brakes | 3 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 3 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 2 | 7% | new |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 4% | new |
| Transmission | 1 | 4% | — flat |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Consequence
IF WINDSHIELD GLASS SEPARATION OCCURS DURING ANACCIDENT, AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND INJURED.
Remedy
REINSTALL WINDSHIELDS TO ASSURE PROPER BOND ADHESION.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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…”
“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. *AK”
“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…”
“VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BRAKE DID NOT RESPOND, TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AGAIN RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. TT”
“VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BRAKE DID NOT RESPOND, TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AGAIN RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. TT”
The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (6 complaints), steering (4 complaints), seat belts (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1987 Oldsmobile Ciera. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ciera years to avoid are 1996, 1994, 1995, 1989, 1988. The cleanest record among Ciera years belongs to 1983.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.