1990 Oldsmobile CUTLASS CIERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
187,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Steering:Linkages: 1; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 559781 · 2001-02-21 (February 21, 2001)
THE VEHICLES FRONT MOUNTS (STEERING) ARE MAKING A METAL ON METAL CLUNKING NOISE WHEN MAKING A SHARP U-TURN. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206237 · 2007-10-18 (October 18, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN SPRAYED QUICK START INTO THE CARBURETOR AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP (BRAND NAME UNAVAILABLE) APPROXIMATELY NINE DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. SHE FELT THAT THE AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OCTOBER 18, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 187,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206237 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1100.0%ODI 10057563 · 34,000 miCONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT A MODERATE SPEED AND MAKING A TURN IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN VEHICLE WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN,IT VEERED, AND LANDED IN THE NEXT LANE. ALSO, THIS WAS THE SECOND ENGINE INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. *AK THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR. *SC | 114.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10113703 · 113,000 miWHILE DRIVING DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR CHECKUP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT ENGINE FAILED, AND WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO START AND OPERATE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10066296 · 98,396 miENGINE 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. WE EVEN REPLACED THE COMPUTER JUST IN CASE IT WHAS GOING BAD.(5TIMES) OVER HEATED REPLACED FAN THERMO SWICTH 2 TIMES AND STARTED AGAIN SO WE HAD IT BYPASS SO THE FAN CAN STAY ON WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH ON.(3TIMES) TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON EVEN ON D GE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 744016TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DISENGAGE CAUSING CAR TO STALL IN TRAFFIC, WHEN STOPPING. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 1100.0%ODI 10057563 · 34,000 miCONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT A MODERATE SPEED AND MAKING A TURN IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN VEHICLE WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN,IT VEERED, AND LANDED IN THE NEXT LANE. ALSO, THIS WAS THE SECOND ENGINE INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. *AK THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR. *SC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 805503EA87-006, COLD STEERING, HARD TO TURN, TEMPORARY OF LACK OF POWER . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 565878ALL INSTRUMENTS FAILED DUE TO FIRE IN THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER SAYS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN INSULATION SHORTING OUT. *YH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10066296 · 98,396 miENGINE 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. WE EVEN REPLACED THE COMPUTER JUST IN CASE IT WHAS GOING BAD.(5TIMES) OVER HEATED REPLACED FAN THERMO SWICTH 2 TIMES AND STARTED AGAIN SO WE HAD IT BYPASS SO THE FAN CAN STAY ON WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH ON.(3TIMES) TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON EVEN ON D GE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10109195STEERING WHEEL MOVED WHILE BEING LOCKED IN POSITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS. *AK 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. *SC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10066296 · 98,396 miENGINE 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. WE EVEN REPLACED THE COMPUTER JUST IN CASE IT WHAS GOING BAD.(5TIMES) OVER HEATED REPLACED FAN THERMO SWICTH 2 TIMES AND STARTED AGAIN SO WE HAD IT BYPASS SO THE FAN CAN STAY ON WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH ON.(3TIMES) TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON EVEN ON D GE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | Too few reports for a range | 187,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10206237 · 187,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN SPRAYED QUICK START INTO THE CARBURETOR AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP (BRAND NAME UNAVAILABLE) APPROXIMATELY NINE DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. SHE FELT THAT THE AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OCTOBER 18, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AN… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1989: 0 complaints · 1990: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | Steering:Linkages | Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | Unknown Or Other | Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering:Linkages | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 550851THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF DUE TO ELECTICAL PROBLEM. YH |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 550851THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF DUE TO ELECTICAL PROBLEM. YH | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.