Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1976 Cutlass.
The 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass is recorded with just 3 owner complaints, the top area classified as "Unknown Or Other," and 2 recalls. This minimal complaint count contrasts sharply with later model years tracked from 1997 to 1999, where the 1998 model year alone accumulated 174 complaints. In the Cutlass reliability timeline, the 1976 model year thus stands as an early, low-incident outlier.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 207.9 in |
| Overall width | 76 in |
| Overall height | 53.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.6 in |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record provided does not include data for the 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass or any model years from that era—the dataset covers only 1997 through 1999, representing vehicles more than two decades newer than the target year. Without complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB figures for 1976 or its immediate model-year neighbors, there is no quantitative basis to assess where this generation falls within any trend arc or to identify whether it shares characteristics with later models. The top complaint areas listed (visibility, fuel system, and unspecified categories) each appear just once, too sparse to constitute a meaningful pattern for 1976. The record indicates zero crash and fire complaints, but this figure is derived from the same incomplete 1997–1999 dataset and cannot be extrapolated backward. The data does not specify root causes for any issues, nor does it provide enough volume to distinguish genuine trends from statistical noise. Takeaway: Based solely on the federal record provided, no informed assessment can be made about the 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass—prospective buyers should seek era-specific historical reliability data, as the available dataset covers an entirely different vehicle generation and era.
All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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.
Remedy:
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.