Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 43 | 19% |
| Air bags | 39 | 17% |
| Power train | 21 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 5% |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% |
| Visibility | 7 | 3% |
| Steering | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
IN SEPT. 2013, REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND LINE WITH THE DRIVEWORKS BRAND FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. ON 3/2/14, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WE SMELLED GAS. THE SNAP ON CONNECTION HAD POPPED LOOSE AT THE GAS TANK AND WAS S
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHEN CAR STARTS UP, RACES FAST, RUFF SHIFTS INTO GEAR, CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK, AND BLINKER IS DIM WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW MONTHS AGO AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING, BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOW I AM AFRAID IT WILL DEPLOY WHILE I'M DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
1995 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS. WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT THE DRIVER ON THE RIGHT ARM. *MC THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER COULD NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE TO EXPLAIN WHY
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A ROAD WITH NO NOTICE AND NO INCIDENT LEADING TO THE FOREMENTIONED DEPLOYMENT. STUNNED AND CONFUSED-DRIVER COULD NOT SEE AND APPLIED BRAKES AND TURNED STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT TO AVOID
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 43 of them (19%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.