Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Cutlass Supreme.
The 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme sits on the A-body platform and is powered by a 4‑quart engine that requires 20W‑20, 20W‑40, or 20W‑50 oil, underscoring its robust, mid‑size character. With only eight owner complaints reported overall, and the most frequent issue centered on equipment, the model demonstrates a relatively calm early‑year performance. Though the Cutlass Supreme’s broader complaint record from 1990‑1996 peaks at 252 complaints in 1994 and dips to 90 in 1995, the 1983 model’s low complaint count places it comfortably within the more reliable portion of the line’s history, indicating a durable, dependable foundation for further study.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 200.8 in |
| Overall width | 72 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3203 lb |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 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 | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | API · 15W-30 · 10W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record provided spans 1990–1996, documenting a trend of fluctuating annual complaints ranging from 90 to 252 and a downward trajectory in recalls from 8 in 1990–1991 to just 1 by 1995. The 1983 model predates this sequence, registering only 6 total complaints—primarily in Equipment and Engine & Engine Cooling with 2 each—plus 2 crash and 2 fire complaints, volumes dwarfed by even the quietest documented year. This positions 1983 outside the high-complaint arc of the 1990s generation, showing significantly less federal safety activity, though the data does not specify whether this reflects build quality or reporting limitations. With minimal documented defects and recall activity compared to the later trend, 1983 represents a relatively low-risk acquisition from a federal-data standpoint, provided prospective buyers verify the specific crash and fire incidents through private inspection.
All 8 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR BRAKE PIPE, WHICH CARRIES BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES, MAY DEVELOP A LEAK DUE TO EXTENDED CHAFING ON THE AIR CLEANER RESONATOR BRACKET. Remedy: IF UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER FINDS THAT THERE IS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE, THE PIPE WILL BE REFORMED TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY THREE QUARTER INCH SPACE. ONLY THOSE PIPES SHOWING SIGNS…
THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.
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 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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.