Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Cutlass Supreme.
The 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is documented with a reliability headline showing 8 total owner complaints and 2 recalls, with the top complaint area identified as Engine & Engine Cooling. Although the available model complaint history tracks a later period from 1990 to 1996 where complaints ranged from a low of 90 in 1995 to a high of 252 in 1994, the 1981 model year remains distinct from this specific timeline. Consequently, the 1981 vehicle's reliability standing is defined solely by its own recorded metrics rather than the higher volumes seen in the mid-1990s.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 200 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3287 lb |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme occupies a unique position in its generation’s federal safety and reliability record, though the provided data begins in 1990, limiting direct year-to-year comparisons. Within the available window, the 1990s trend shows complaints peaking in 1991 (240) and 1994 (252), with recalls and investigations following a similar arc—highest in 1991 (8 recalls, 9 investigations) before tapering off mid-decade. The 1981 model’s sparse complaint data (8 total, with no crash-related reports and only one fire complaint) suggests either underreporting or relatively stable early production, though the lack of recalls or investigations for that year implies no systemic defects were flagged at the federal level. Complaints for 1981 are evenly distributed across engine, fuel system, visibility, and structural issues, but the low volume prevents definitive conclusions about durability trends. Given the absence of red flags in the federal record and the model’s position as an early iteration of its generation, 1981 appears to be a comparatively low-risk year to buy—assuming proper maintenance history is verified.
All 8 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
"TX" HEAVY DUTY WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH LAMINATED STEEL. THE WHEEL DISC MAY FRACTURE AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. Remedy: THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE. Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
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.