Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Firenza.
The 1983 Oldsmobile Firenza stands as a specific reference point for researchers, characterized fundamentally by an engine requiring 3 quarts of oil and operating with 20W-20, 20W-40, or 20W-50 viscosity grades. In the context of the model's reliability history, this year occupies a notably problematic position, having generated six owner complaints and been subjected to five separate recalls. With the electrical system emerging as the top complaint area, the 1983 Firenza illustrates that despite its simple lubrication requirements, the vehicle's overall execution was marred by significant electrical quality issues that define its historical standing.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 176.4 in |
| Overall width | 65 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2460 lb |
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.
| 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 | 3 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.
Owner complaints about the 1983 Oldsmobile Firenza dominate in one area — the electrical system, 3 of 6 reports (50%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 5 recall campaigns target the electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 6 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…
THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR. Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
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.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
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.
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.