Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 Cutlass.
The 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass carries a 4-quart 5W-30 API oil specification and accumulated 25 owner complaints alongside two recalls, with seat belts generating the highest volume of reports. Set against the model's recorded complaint history from 1997 through 1999—a span that saw complaints peak at 174 in 1998 and fall to 92 by 1999—the 1987 model year demonstrates markedly lower owner-reported issues. This positions the vehicle as a comparatively stable entry in the Cutlass reliability record, offering a lower complaint profile than the documented highs of later production years.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 190.6 in |
| Overall width | 69.7 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 in |
| Curb weight | 2738 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 64/36 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil.
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | USE GM PART NO. 1050017 OR EQUIVALENT |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
For the 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass, federal data highlights Seat Belts (7 complaints) and Engine & Engine Cooling (6 complaints) as the primary concern areas, alongside 2 crash and 3 fire complaints. Across the provided 1997-1999 generation arc, the trend shows complaints and investigations peaking in 1997-1998—with a high of 174 complaints and 7 investigations—before dropping significantly by 1999 to 92 complaints and 0 investigations. The 1987 model falls well before this documented arc, meaning it predates the later generation's spike in federal complaints and recalls. Although the data does not specify root causes for the 1987 issues, its isolated complaint figures are markedly lower than the generation's peak years. Consequently, the 1987 Cutlass represents a good year to buy relative to the later high-complaint models, provided you conduct a thorough inspection of the seat belts and engine cooling system.
All 25 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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.
MANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED. Remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE DETENT LEVER LINK.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.