Carlexica

1990 Oldsmobile Toronado: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic.

Data updated weekly · latest recall May 1995

3
recalls
16
owner complaints
1
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

1 fire report

Common problems

Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 16 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)5 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)4 complaints
Seat Belts2 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)1 complaint
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)1 complaint
Seats1 complaint
Engine cradle broke upon making a left hand turn. Driver lost steering control of car but managed to stop it before impacting anything. Cradle was removed from car and found to be sound and almost rust free except for a section about 6 inches long in the vicinity of the right front wheel (and directly below the ac unit). That 6 inch long section was almost completely rusted away and what little material remained apparently broke during the left hand turn. The engine cradle remained firmly attached to the body at the 6 mounting points.Owner report · Structure · Aug 2000
Instrument panel is inoperative. Occupant cannot see or use the gauges on the panel. Please provide further information and VIN#. *akOwner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 1999
While driving the driver's seat rocked backwards, when checked out the steel bracket was broken on the left side. Dealer notified. Problem still exists. *ak *mlOwner report · Seats · Jan 1999
Show 7 more owner reports
Analog instrument panel failed with owner no longer knowing displayed information. Dealer says analog cluster needs replacement. No replacement at this time. Please describe details; 95v224000. Listed for same problem under cadillac eldorado. *akOwner report · Electrical System · Dec 1996
Fire department said catalytic converter could be the cause, insurance said the fire was electricial, fire totalled the vehicle. *akOwner report · Electrical System · Mar 1996
Lap/shoulder belt on driver side in the rear of vehicle, latch and will not unlatch, a child was in the seat belt over tighten and could get child out. TtOwner report · Seat Belts · Jun 1995
Consumer states the computer chip to start the vehicle is malfunctioning. The dashboard reads starting disabled. The problem is intermittent. The dealer was notified. Please provide more information. MrOwner report · Electrical System
The wiring harness under the dash experienced and electrical short causing the dash lights and indicator not to work on damp or cold weather. NlmOwner report · Electrical System
When the brakes are applied pedal goes to the floor, resulting in an extended stopping distance. The dealer will replace the master cylinder. Consumer now experiencing total loss of braking power with ABS. The manufacturer has been notified. *akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Upon application of ABS brakes in panic stop, vehicle pulls to the left and experiences reduced braking effectiveness for about a second, then brakes begin to operate normally. *akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Recalls - 3 campaigns

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT90V164000 · Sep 1990

TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FROM THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL WITH LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.

Remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO PREVENT CABLE DISENGAGEMENT.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL90E043004 · Oct 1990

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING95V110000 · May 1995

THE FRONT OUTER SHOULDER BELT WEB SEW STOP CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. THE BELT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR AND SOME OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FASTEN THE BELT.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.

Check your exact Toronado by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado reliable?

NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.

Does the 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.