Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 Cutlass Ciera.
The 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera generated a single owner complaint, which was concentrated in the seat‑belt area. The model was also subject to two recalls during its production run. Looking at the broader Cutlass Ciera complaint history from 1991 to 1995, the highest number of reports occurred in 1994 with 266 complaints, while the lowest was recorded in 1992 with 161 complaints. Consequently, the 1982 model year sits at the far low‑complaint end of that later reliability trend.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 188.6 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in |
| Curb weight | 2765 lb |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1982 Cutlass Ciera sits just before the decade‑long federal record that begins in 1991, where complaints rise from 161 in 1992 to 266 in 1994, while recalls peak at eight in both 1991 and 1994. Investigations drop to zero in 1994 and 1995, suggesting that many complaints were not linked to safety‑related investigations. The target year’s sole top complaint area—Seat Belts—reflects a minimal safety concern relative to the broader trend of higher complaint counts in the later years. With no crash or fire complaints reported for 1982, the model appears to have fewer documented safety issues than the years that follow. Consequently, a 1982 Cutlass Ciera may be a more attractive purchase than later model years, provided the seat belt condition is verified.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
UNDER CERTAAIN CONDITIONS, THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK FILLER VENT PIPE COULD FRACTURE. THE FRACTURE OF THESE CLAMPS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AT ANY OF THE FOUR PIPE TO HOSE CONNECTIONS… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND VENT PIPE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT RETAINER IN THE INJECTION PUMP MAY FAIL. THE THROTTLE VALVE COULD STICK, PREVENTING RETURN TO IDLE AND SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE BY THE DRIVER. Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE INJECTION PUMP AT NO COST TO OWNER.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.