Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 98.
The 1979 Oldsmobile 98 serves as a foundational reference for researchers tracking the nameplate's long-term durability, situated just before the documented 1990 to 1999 complaint window. Within that timeframe, the model's complaint trajectory shifted dramatically, hitting a peak of 65 grievances in 1991 before dropping to a low of a single complaint in 1999. Consequently, the 1979 model stands as an early iteration of a platform that preceded this statistical peak, meaning the broader lineage ultimately moved past its highest concentration of reported issues to achieve far greater reliability by the close of the decade.
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.