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1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1985 Cutlass Ciera.

The 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is presented in the overview as a model whose engine requires a three‑quart oil fill and is compatible with 20W‑20, 20W‑40 or 20W‑50 viscosity. Owner complaints number 21, with the engine and cooling system accounting for the bulk of the issues and three recalls recorded. By contrast, complaint volumes for later model years (1991‑1995) range from 161 to 266, peaking in 1994, indicating that the 1985 version falls ahead of a period of comparatively higher reported problems.

Model year1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1985

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12737090. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12737090 alt 25322835
Engine air filter	25043317 alt 25041208
Fuel filter	22522452 alt 25171792
Spark plug	19310656 alt 05614046
Front wiper blades	15184702
Serpentine belt	10034799 alt 09433741
Thermostat	10207373 alt 10101864

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.6 in
Overall width	69.7 in
Overall height	54.3 in
Wheelbase	104.7 in
Curb weight	2732 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3 qt of 20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3 qt
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect)
Every 5,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 7,500 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect) · PCV System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Choke System (inspect) · Diesel Fuel Injection Pump Timing (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1985 Cutlass Ciera sits midway through a generation that saw a relatively steady complaint rate, with 240 complaints in 1991 and 266 in 1994, and recalls ranging from 4 to 8 per year. In 1985, the vehicle’s complaint profile was dominated by Engine & Engine Cooling (5), Power Train (4), Steering (3), and Vehicle Speed Control (3), indicating a similar mix to the surrounding years. Crash and fire complaints each totaled 3, matching the low but consistent incidence seen in adjacent years. Because the recall count for 1985 is not provided, the data does not specify any major safety issue that year. Overall, the 1985 model does not stand out negatively in the federal record, suggesting it is a reasonable year to consider for purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’94 ’95

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling5

Power Train4

Steering3

Vehicle Speed Control3

Tires2

Suspension2

Seat Belts,Vehicle Speed Control1

Parking Brake1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

89V102000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 16/06/1989

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF). Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

84V124000Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod AssemblyReported 10/10/1984

THE TIE RODS ARE PART OF THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TRANSMIT TURNING MOVEMENTS TO THE WHEELS. THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE TIE RODS TO THEIR ADJUSTERS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. THIS COULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD TO LOOSEN AND… Remedy: THE TIE ROD END BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cutlass Ciera. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3 qt Engine oil filter 12737090 Engine air filter 25043317 Fuel filter 22522452 Spark plug 19310656

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1985 Cutlass Ciera take?

3 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 20 degrees F: 20W-20, 20W-40, 20W-50, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 OR 10W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 1985 Cutlass Ciera have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.