Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\bU.S. public vehicle records
1985 Oldsmobile CIERA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 8 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 37.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 1 |
| Suspension:Front | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 1; Suspension:Front: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 0 |
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: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 2 |
1995: 3; 1996: 3; 1997: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 483400 · 1995-08-23 (August 23, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486107 · 1995-05-22 (May 22, 1995)
STIFF GAS PEDAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503475 · 1996-04-15 (April 15, 1996)
DEFECTIVE 'O' RINGS IN RACK/PINION CAUSE STEERING TO LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 510314 · 1996-10-21 (October 21, 1996)
UPON MAKING LEFT TURN, VEHICLE WEAVED, STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT/INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 510314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 516676 · 1997-04-22 (April 22, 1997)
ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 516676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 813984 · 1997-07-09 (July 9, 1997)
THE FRONT END SUSPENSION CRADLE PULLED THROUGH AND PULLED THE ENTIRE STEERING OUT, AND THE DRIVER LOST STEERING WHILE SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 813984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965145 · 1995-05-11 (May 11, 1995)
EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT SUDDENLY ACCELERATION, WITHOUT PRESSING GAS PEDAL, WHEN RPM'S GO UP RESULTING IN WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980822 · 1996-03-18 (March 18, 1996)
THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE LOCKING UP WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND NOT STOP. THE BRAKES ARE HYDRUALIC. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980822 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
0.0%Usable mileage0 / 8 records
87.5%Valid incident date7 / 8 records
100.0%Valid filing date8 / 8 records
87.5%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 8 records
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 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.0%ODI 809433BRAKE SYSTEM: COMING DOWN BRASS TOWN MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA, BRAKES STARTED SMOKING AND BECAME INOPERATIVE. STOPPED AT BOTTOM OF MOUNTAIN AND LET BRAKES COOL OFF AND THEN THEY WORKED OKAY. MECHANIC LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.0%ODI 962519ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAIL WHEN DRIVING AND TRY STOP AT A STOP SIGN. TT | 48.7% | 617.6% | 1315.7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 965145EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT SUDDENLY ACCELERATION, WITHOUT PRESSING GAS PEDAL, WHEN RPM'S GO UP RESULTING IN WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 317.6%ODI 959983VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BRAKE DID NOT RESPOND, TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AGAIN RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. TT | 28.0%ODI 489360CRUISE CONTROL SPEED SWITCH FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD | 412.9% | 420.0%ODI 484743VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD FROM PARKED POSITION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD | 510.9% | 25.9% | 33.6%ODI 535130VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION AND INJURIES. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 809587OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SLAMS INTO A STOP AND THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING INTO PARK, DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. OWNER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE STALLING THAT IS INTERMITTENT. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1% | 317.6% | 14.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.0% | 24.3%ODI 544715WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT OR COMING TO A LIGHT THE VEHICLE JERKS, LURCHES FORWARD AND STALLS. DEALER UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. | 411.8%ODI 484381HORN SOUNDS OFF OCCASIONALLY WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *DH | 67.2% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1% | 211.8% | 312.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.0% | 36.5% | 12.9%ODI 10020209OIL LEAKED ONTO ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS. *JB | 67.2%ODI 10017614THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING IN DECEMBER OF 2002. WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.9% | 28.0% | 13.2%ODI 979658UPON DECELERATING LOCK UP VALVE CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO STAY ENGAGED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.2% | 411.8%ODI 712134TRANSMISSION WHEN HOT WILL NOT SHIFT TO OVERDIVE; ENGINE RATTLES WHEN STARTED COLD | 78.4% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 980822THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE LOCKING UP WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND NOT STOP. THE BRAKES ARE HYDRUALIC. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 211.8%ODI 802483CONSUMER STATES THAT WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS DAMP THE BRAKES GRAB, SOMETIMES THEY SQUEAL AND SOMETIMES THEY CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK AND YOU SKID A LITTLE.*AK | 14.0%ODI 966868BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT ON THE CAR AND THEY HAVE BEEN REBUILT. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.0% | 36.5% | 25.9% | 22.4% |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 312.0% | 26.5% | 15.0%ODI 979109VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND BRAKE AND STEERING ABILITY IS LOST, DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.2%ODI 802603DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER.*AK |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 24.3%ODI 835711VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH OR LESS IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND HAD NOTHING POSITIVE TO SAY. SEEKING HELP FROM NHSTA IN THIS MATTER. *AK | 12.9%ODI 980595NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK | 67.2%ODI 515191CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT AIRBAGS PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD FOR SHORT PEOPLE. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
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.
1995: 22 complaints · 1996: 56 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 | 15 | 22 |
| 1996 | 15 | 34 | 56 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 28 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 | 61 | 22 | 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 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Steering:Rack And Pinion | Suspension:Front | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension:Front | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.
1 patterns with matching reports.