VehicleVerdict

1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1978 compare to other Custom Cruiser years?

Custom Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted19 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 11 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 2 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 19 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 4 complaints
Custom Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Custom Cruiser years to avoid →

Does the 1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

79V161000Latches & LocksJuly 2, 1979 · 476,245 units

Defect

A CHILD COULD OPEN THE REAR SIDE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND ENTER THIS COMPARTMENT. THE CHILD COULD BECOME ENTRAPPED IF THE DOOR WERE TO CLOSE, AS IT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL COMPARTMENT DOOR LATCH, WHICH CAN BE LATCHED WITHOUT A KEY, WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY THAT REQUIRES A KEY TO LATCH AS WELL AS LOCK THE DOOR.

1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser — common questions

Is the 1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.