1984 Oldsmobile Firenza problems
The Oldsmobile Firenza was a compact car which was produced by Oldsmobile from 1982 to 1988. It was based on the front-wheel drive GM J platform, which was shared with the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird. It was not based on the European market Vauxhall Firenza, but on the same platform as the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk 2 / Opel Ascona C. The Firenza name was previously used as a performance package on the previous generation Oldsmobile Starfire hatchback.
Overview
The all-new Firenza was introduced in March 1982, as a replacement for the departed rear-wheel drive Starfire. Initially available as a two-door hatchback and four-door sedan, the lineup was expanded to include a 4-door "Cruiser" wagon in 1983, and a two-door notchback coupe in 1986. The name "Cruiser" was applied to all Oldsmobile station wagons at the time; this included the mid-sized Cutlass Cruiser and full-size Custom Cruiser. The Firenza was positioned as Oldsmobile's entry-level compact car, priced below the slightly larger Omega and later Calais/Cutlass Calais. Despite this, the Firenza could be equipped with premium options such as power windows, power locks, and 14-inch alloy wheels. The 1982 Firenza LX sedan was listed for $8,080 ($25,511 in 2023 dollars ). It is named for the Italian translation of the city of Florence.
As a badge engineered, variant of the GM J-car platform, the Firenza received its own front and rear-end styling. The upper portion of the Firenza front end featured quad rectangular headlights separated by signal lights in recessed housings, with a sloped body-color panel between the headlights. The dashboard unit was shared with the Buick Skyhawk.
A horizontal-barred grille was mounted in the lower portion of the front fascia. The rear featured nearly square taillights with a slight wraparound at the outboard ends of the upper rear panel. The suspension was shared with the front-wheel-drive Omega and Cutlass Ciera, which consisted of MacPherson struts, lower control arms, coil springs and a stabilizer bar for the front, and a torsion-beam rear axle, along with coil springs and rear stabilizer bars.
The Firenza was launched with a 2.0-liter OHV inline four-cylinder engine as the sole powerplant, but an overhead-cam 1.8-liter engine was added during the model year. Oldsmobile did not utilize turbo on these engines, while Buick and Pontiac offered a turbo. Wraparound amber turn signal lights were added immediately outboard of the headlights for 1984. In 1985, the 2.8 L LB6 V6 was added as an option with the GT package.
For the Firenza's last model year in 1988, it received a conventional horizontal bar grille between new aerodynamic composite headlamps and new tail lights, styled similar to the Cutlass Ciera. Also for the Firenza's final year, the hatchback was dropped along with the V6, leaving just the four-cylinder notchback coupe, sedan, and wagon models. Also for 1988, all previous trim-level designations were dropped. All Firenza body styles came in a single unnamed base model that could be equipped with six various option packages.
Sales of the Cavalier and Sunbird annually dwarfed the Firenza. Due to this, the Firenza was not replaced in Oldsmobile's lineup, leaving the Cutlass Calais as the division's smallest car. The Cimarron was discontinued that year as well. Leeds Assembly, which built the Firenza, was closed. The Skyhawk lasted another year, while GM kept the first-generation Sunbird and Cavalier in production until 1994.
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Common 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza, several common problems have been identified:
- Rear End Issues: Some owners have experienced rear end problems, potentially due to accidents, which can affect the overall drivability of the vehicle.
- Fuel Leaks: Complaints include instances of raw gasoline leaks, which can be hazardous and impact fuel efficiency. Addressing such leaks promptly is crucial for safety and optimal vehicle operation.
- A/C Compressor Failure: Reports indicate issues with the air conditioning compressor failing, a common problem that can affect the comfort of the vehicle's interior. Repairs or replacements may be necessary to restore A/C functionality.
- Transmission Problems: Owners have faced transmission issues, such as smoking and malfunctioning. Proper maintenance and timely repairs are essential to ensure the smooth operation of the transmission system.
- Head Gasket Failure: Complaints mention head gasket failures leading to smoking issues. Replacing a faulty head gasket is crucial to prevent further damage to the engine and maintain optimal performance.
- Starter Malfunction: Instances of starter failures have been reported, which can prevent the vehicle from starting. Addressing starter issues promptly is essential to avoid being stranded due to a non-starting vehicle.
- Body Deterioration: Some owners have noted significant body deterioration after extended use, requiring repairs such as bondo application to maintain the structural integrity of the vehicle.
- Engine Stabilizer Bracket Breakage: The breaking of engine stabilizer brackets has been reported, leading to transmission and starter problems. Addressing bracket issues promptly is crucial to prevent further damage to the engine and related components.
By addressing these common problems promptly and ensuring regular maintenance, owners of the 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza can prolong the lifespan of their vehicles and enjoy a more reliable driving experience.
Who made the Firenza car?
The Oldsmobile Firenza was a compact car which was produced by Oldsmobile from 1982 to 1988. It was based on the front-wheel drive GM J platform, which was shared with the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird.
Why did Oldsmobile go out of business?
Why did they stop making Oldsmobile? General Motors (GM) stopped making the Oldsmobile due to overall mismanagement of the brand that resulted in Oldsmobile going from the #3 best-selling brand in the 1980s selling over a million units, to being an afterthought with consumers in the 1990s and early 2000s.
What was the Italian car in The Godfather?
THE GODFATHER
A few scenes later, Apollonia is murdered as she starts the engine in an Alfa Romeo that was wired with a bomb. The Alfa Romeo featured here was actually Alfa's first postwar production model, the 6C 2500 Freccia d'Oro. Fortunately, the 6c which was blown up in the movie was a replica!
What is the oldest car company still in business today?
Peugeot (UK: /ˈpɜːʒoʊ/, US: /p(j)uːˈʒoʊ/, French: [pøʒo]) is a French brand of automobiles owned by Stellantis. The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was founded in 1810, is regarded as the oldest car company in the world.
Are Oldsmobile cars reliable?
Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Oldsmobile score is 3.73 while the Intrigue comes in at 4.25.
Who made the Firenza car?
The Oldsmobile Firenza was a compact car which was produced by Oldsmobile from 1982 to 1988. It was based on the front-wheel drive GM J platform, which was shared with the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird.
What caused Oldsmobile failure?
Oldsmobile, one of the oldest American car brands, faced challenges that ultimately led to its downfall. Similar to Plymouth and Pontiac, Oldsmobile suffered from a lack of brand identity and differentiation (as you might see, there is an area-curing mistake in every example so far).
Why did Oldsmobile stop?
After the tremendous success of the 1970s and 1980s, things changed quickly for Oldsmobile, and by the early 1990s the brand had lost its place in the market (as annual sales had fallen from a record high of 1,066,122 in 1985 to just 402,936 in 1993), squeezed between other GM divisions, and with competition from new ...
1984 Oldsmobile Firenza car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Oldsmobile Firenza problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1984 Oldsmobile Firenza complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-12-23
- VIN: IG3AD69P77E
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: DOOR LATCH FELL APART, AND CONSUMER HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO GET INTO DRIVER'S SEAT. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: SHOULDER STRAP OF SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY OFFERS NO RESTRICTION WHEN PULLED RAPIDLY TO STIMULATE EFFECT OF CRASH. RECEIVED A CITATION FROM CHP FOR FAILURE TO KEEP SEAT BELT IN WORKING CONDITION. A DILIGENT SEARCH HAS FOUND NO INFORMATION RELATED TO THE OPERATION, INSTALLATION OR FIELD TESTING OF SEAT BELTS.
1984 Oldsmobile Firenza recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
- Consequence: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
- Summary: SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. IN EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK LOCK MAY NOT FUNCTION.
- Remedy: INSPECTION OF SEAT BACK LOCKS WILL BE PERFORMED. LOCKS THAT HAVE BENT, BROKEN OR MISSING HOOKS WILL BE REPLACED.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza problems:
Oldsmobile Firenza Reviews, Page 3 of 4 - Carsurvey.org
Engine starts loosing steam due to cylinder #4 issues, which is easily repairable, however, the rear end is giving out due to the accident. General Comments:.
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