1988 Oldsmobile Ciera problems
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car manufactured and marketed for model years 1982-1996 by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors — over a single generation. Body styles included a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, and the 4-door wagon.
The Cutlass Ciera shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity. As part of their legacy, together the A-bodies became widely popular as well as synonymous with GM's most transparent examples of badge engineering, highlighted almost indistinguishably on the August 22, 1983 cover of Fortune magazine as examples of genericized uniformity, embarrassing the company and ultimately prompting GM to recommit to design leadership.
Background
The Cutlass Ciera and its A-Body platform twins, featured MacPherson strut front suspension, body-color urethane bumpers, flush-mounted glass, front-wheel drive, and on many models, fuel injection.
The Cutlass Ciera shared the Cutlass nameplate with the smaller Cutlass Calais and the upscale Cutlass Supreme. Oldsmobile had previously used the Celebrity brand in the 1960s, but GM chose to give that name to Chevrolet. With the Ciera, Oldsmobile established Cutlass as sub-brand for its line of mainstream sedans and coupes.
Initially, the Cutlass Ciera and its platform mates were marketed as premium mid-sized cars, above the X-Body, from which they were derived, and the N-Body Calais, which would follow for 1985.
The Ciera and Cruiser replaced the rear-wheel drive G-Body Cutlass models, but strong sales kept the higher trim Cutlass Supreme in production until the 1988 model year when it was replaced by the W-Body models. As such, these front-wheel drive sedans carried the A-Body designation, previously reserved for their rear-wheel drive showroom companions. In order to keep both lines in production, General Motors rechristened the rear-wheel drive mid-sized platform as the G-Body beginning with the 1982 model year.
When the W-Body coupes were introduced for 1988, Oldsmobile reduced the number of options and configurations available. During the model years that followed, luxury and performance options such as FE3 suspension, auto calculator, bucket seats, leather seating areas, sunroofs, and full instrumentation were gradually eliminated.
Originally for 1990, the Cutlass Ciera, as with the rest of the A-body range, was intended to be phased out in favor of the more modern W-body midsized sedans. However, the Ciera, as well as its sister the Buick Century, continued to remain popular nearing the end of their initial runs. Thus, it was decided that the older Cutlass Ciera and Century would instead continue production alongside their proposed replacements, the Cutlass Supreme and Regal respectively, as lower priced alternatives.
After 1990, special editions of the Cutlass Ciera were dropped from the American market and by the end of 1991, the coupe was discontinued. Although reduced to two trim levels and two body styles, sedan and wagon, the Cieras remained the brand's best-selling line for 1996.
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Common 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, several common problems have been identified:
- Electrical Issues: Complaints included problems with the electrical system, such as the ABS light being on, no brake lights, or headlights working in the 1996 model. Electrical issues can be complex and may require thorough diagnostics to identify and resolve the root cause.
- Interior Concerns: Some owners reported issues related to the interior of the vehicle. Interior problems can range from cosmetic issues to functional problems with components like seats, dashboard, or controls. Addressing interior concerns can enhance the comfort and aesthetics of the car.
- Transmission Problems: A few complaints mentioned transmission issues in the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. Transmission problems can manifest as difficulty shifting gears, slipping, or unusual noises. Timely maintenance and repairs are crucial to ensure the longevity of the transmission system.
- Cooling System Challenges: Owners also highlighted cooling system problems in the 1988 Cutlass Ciera. Issues with the cooling system can lead to overheating, which can cause engine damage if not addressed promptly. Regular cooling system maintenance is essential to prevent overheating and maintain engine performance.
These common problems reported by owners of the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and thorough inspections to address issues promptly and ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and safety.
How much is a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera worth?
A: The lowest recorded sale price was $4,500 for a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser on Nov 4 2023. Q: What is the average sale price of a Oldsmobile Ciera? A: The average price of a Oldsmobile Ciera is $8,400.
What was the last Oldsmobile Ciera?
Production of the Ciera ended on August 30, 1996. It was replaced in the U.S. by the N-body 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass, also built at the Oklahoma City assembly plant. As a result, the 1996 Cruiser wagon was the final Oldsmobile station wagon model produced.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
Engine: 2.8 L/135 hp MFI. Transmission: Front Wheel Drive Automatic. Body Style: 2DR Coupe.
How much horsepower does the Cutlass Ciera have?
160 horsepower
How fast is the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera? The 1995 Cutlass Ciera boasts 160 horsepower.
How much is a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera worth?
A: The lowest recorded sale price was $4,500 for a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser on Nov 4 2023. Q: What is the average sale price of a Oldsmobile Ciera? A: The average price of a Oldsmobile Ciera is $8,400.
What was the last Oldsmobile Ciera?
Production of the Ciera ended on August 30, 1996. It was replaced in the U.S. by the N-body 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass, also built at the Oklahoma City assembly plant. As a result, the 1996 Cruiser wagon was the final Oldsmobile station wagon model produced.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass have?
Engine: 2.8 L/135 hp MFI. Transmission: Front Wheel Drive Automatic. Body Style: 2DR Coupe.
How much horsepower does the Cutlass Ciera have?
160 horsepower
How fast is the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera? The 1995 Cutlass Ciera boasts 160 horsepower.
1988 Oldsmobile Ciera car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Oldsmobile Ciera problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Seat belts problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera
The NHTSA has received 31 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera vehicles.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-10-08
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRO-FIT KIT THAT WAS GIVEN BY OLDSMOBILE HAS A VERY LARGE BUCKLE THAT HITS RIGHT IN THE STERNUM. IF IN AN ACCIDENT BUCKLE COULD GO RIGHT THROUGH THE CHEST. MANUFACTURER SAID THAT WAS THE WAY THEY MADE THEM, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-06-01
- VIN: 2G3AM513XJ2
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: SINCE JUNE OF 1998 OUR OLDSMOBLE CUTLESS CIERA BROUGHAM HAS BEEN DYING WHETHER IN MOTION OR AT A STOP. ON OCCASSION IT WOULD NOT RE-START. WE HAVE HAD IT AT THE DEALERS 5 TIMES, AND WACH TIME THEY SAY THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM WE CURRENTLY HAVE OUR CAR AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. $6000.00 LATER AND WE STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. VARIOUS SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW FUEL PUMP, COMPLETE TIMING REPLACED. EVERYTIME OUR CAR MIS-FUNCTIONS NOTHING EVER SHOWS UP ON THE COMPUTER, NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. THE CAR JUST QUIETLY DIES. THERE MUST BE OTHER CAR OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME SITUATION AS US. HELP,HELP,HELP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-12-28
- VIN: 2G3AM5132J2
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ON MOUNTAIN ROADS, THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS. NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, NO POWER PERIOD. THEREFORE, VEHICLE IS "STUCK" IN ROAD, USUALLY ON A BLIND TURN, EXTREEME DANGER WITH TRUCKS COMING DOWN MOUNTAIN.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: FILL IN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WHILE BRINGING VEHICLE TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF, AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED. POSSIBLE CAUSE A FAULTY SOLENOID IN TORQUE CONVERTER HOUSING. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3AJ5134JG
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF CONSISTENTLY.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-27
- VIN: 2G3AJ51RXJ2
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-01
- VIN: 1G3AM51375G
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TVS TRANSMISSION VALVE FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-19
- VIN: 2G3AM51W0J2
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: FLYWHEEL BROKE TWICE.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-13
- VIN: 2G3AM51W0J2
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION REPLACED.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-25
- VIN: 2G3AM51W0J2
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: UNEVEN WEAR OF LEFT FRONT TIRE.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-12
- VIN: 2G3AJ51R6J2
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING RESERVOIR LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST PIPE/SMOKE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-07
- VIN: 2G3AJ513XJ9
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. *DH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-15
- VIN: 2G3AJ5130J2
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD IS LOOSE AND HAS BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION.THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND REWIRED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-29
- VIN: 2G3AJ51W7J2
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE HARMONIC BALACER OUTER RING PULLEY HAS SEPERATED FROM PULLEY, CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND ALL ACCESSORIES THAT ARE POWERED BY BELT. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-04
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE JUST FELL APART AND NO LONGER LATCHES.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-04
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE JUST FELL APART AND NO LONGER LATCHES.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2G3AJ513XJ2
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2G3AJ513XJ2
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: UNUSUAL VIBRATION IN FRONT W/UNKNOWN CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-26
- VIN: 2G3AJ51W1J9
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR MAKING A SHARP TURN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-16
- VIN: 1G3AJ8132JG
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, CAUSING THE CAR TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART. CONSUMER STATED DEALER CORRECTED PROBLEM BY INSTALLING A CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. *SLC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1989-01-01
- VIN: 2G3AM5131J9
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE SLOWLY DETERIORATED UNTIL IT BECAME INOPERABLE. *DSH
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-01
- VIN: 2G3AM5130J2
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: FIRESTONE TIRES KEEP LOSING AIR. *SD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-17
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2G3AJ5134J9
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTONG IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-04-12
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT ON THE CAR AND THEY HAVE BEEN REBUILT. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
1988 Oldsmobile Ciera recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Oldsmobile Ciera problems:
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