Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 98.
The 1979 Oldsmobile 98, introduced as part of Oldsmobile’s flagship line, occupies a notable place in the brand’s chronology, and its subsequent reliability record can be gauged by the complaint data collected for the decade that followed. While the model’s own year‑specific issues are not enumerated, the broader complaint history shows a peak of 65 reported problems in 1991 and a low of just one complaint in 1999, suggesting that the platform’s durability improved markedly over time. For a researcher, this trend indicates that the 1979 iteration sits at the early end of a reliability curve that became increasingly favorable toward the close of the 1990s.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 218.9 in |
| Overall width | 77.2 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3986 lb |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE HEADS MAY BREAK OFF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION EVEN UNDER NO LOAD CONDITIONS. THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF BOLTS USED, HIGH INSTALLATION TORQUE AND ARRANGEMENT OF… Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
A GASKET WAS MISTAKENLY PLACED BETWEEN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE POWER BOOST WHICH PREVENTED THE TWO PARTS FROM FITTING TOGETHER PROPERLY. DAMAGE MAY HAVE RESULTED TO THE MOUNTING EARS OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND HYDRO-BOOST UNIT, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.