Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Omega.
For researchers examining the 1981 Oldsmobile Omega, the vehicle emerges as a model defined by its surprisingly contained issue rate, logging just two total owner complaints alongside two associated recalls. The electrical system stands as the primary area of concern within this sparse fault record, absorbing the top complaint category for the year. Consequently, this minimal volume of documented grievances positions the 1981 Omega favorably within the model's broader reliability history, indicating a relatively trouble-free ownership experience compared to more problematic model years.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 181.9 in |
| Overall width | 69.7 in |
| Overall height | 53.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 in |
| Curb weight | 2474 lb |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1981 Oldsmobile Omega dominate in one area — the electrical system, 1 of 2 reports (50%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the electrical system are also the target of recall 81V-038 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 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 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE INCORRECTLY ROUTED. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY THEN CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN DETERIORATION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE HOSE… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSES AND INLET PIPE AND ADD A CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
THE ENGINE-TO-BODY GROUND CABLE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE. THE CABLE COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK DUE TO THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND BODY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. Remedy: A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF 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.