1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 22 of 83 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | vs. 1996 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 26–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 83 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera?
Brakes: 22 of 83 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera get?
EPA rates it 21–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 3-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.1L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.1L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · Campaign 95V173000 · Sep 12, 1995
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.