OldsmobileCustom Cruiser1991Overview/oldsmobile/custom-cruiser/1991/base/

1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Custom Cruiser.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Custom Cruiser is a 1991 Oldsmobile model that uses a 4‑quart oil capacity filled with 5W‑30 API grade and is paired with an automatic 4‑speed transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 15 city/23 highway/17 combined mpg. In reliability terms, the 1991 model recorded six total owner complaints — placing it near the lower end of the 1991‑1994 complaint range, where the fewest complaints (one) occurred in 1993 and the most (seventeen) in 1992 — with the power train accounting for the majority of issues and three recall actions issued. The EPA ratings of 15/23/17 mpg reflect its modest fuel efficiency.

Model year199219911989198819871986198519841979

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/23/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12708762. Note the factory engine air filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12708762
Engine air filter25097919 discontinued
Fuel filter25121468
Spark plug19302741
Front wiper blades25689175 discontinued
Serpentine belt12637202
Thermostat10207373 alt 10105135

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 23 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume115 cu ft
Cargo volume55 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.3 qt
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1991 the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser recorded six complaints, three recalls, one investigation, and four TSBS incidents, placing it in the early part of a modest decline in complaints that continued through 1994. The 1991 year shows a slightly higher recall count than the 1993 and 1994 models, but the number of complaints drops sharply from the 17 complaints seen in 1992. The complaint distribution for 1991—Power Train, Electrical System, Seat Belts, and Visibility—indicates a spread across multiple systems, whereas later years saw a concentration of fewer complaints. The single crash and fire complaint in 1991 match the low incident rates of the surrounding years, suggesting no major safety or fire issues unique to that model year. Overall, 1991 sits near the middle of a relatively stable trend, with no indication of escalating problems; it represents a reasonable choice for a used buyer seeking a model with moderate historical complaint activity.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
4
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Power Train1
Electrical System1
Seat Belts1
Visibility1
Air Bags1
Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

92V094000Seat BeltsReported 01/07/1992

THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE. Remedy: INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1300890092013-09-01Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
020730024A2005-08-01Power TrainDIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY…
438206A1995-06-01VisibilityUNKNOWN
4382061994-12-01VisibilityWIPER CHATTER DURING COLD WEATHER. *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Custom Cruiser. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Custom Cruiser take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Custom Cruiser have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Custom Cruiser get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 17 combined mpg.