Sales peaked in 1981 at approximately 310,000 units, which represented 60% of the total U.S. passenger vehicle diesel market.

Although GM carried out several redesigns, by the time the engine was trouble-free, the damage to its reputation had been done, and it was discontinued after the 1985 model year.

Needing to meet upcoming CAFE standards, GM forced him into early retirement and released the engine nonetheless.

[2] Myriad lawsuits were filed as several grassroots groups formed to try to get General Motors to acknowledge the issues.

[4] A class action lawsuit eventually forced General Motors to pay up to 80 percent of the costs of new engines.

A large number of cars simply had their broken diesels replaced with conventional gasoline engines.

[8] In addition to the head bolt issues, General Motors also decided not to install a water separator in order to cut costs.

[8] General Motors also carried out several redesigns of the V8's heads, bolts, and various other parts, but by the time the engine was trouble-free the reputation damage had already been done.

[2] The downward sales slide continued, not helped by stricter emissions standards - for the 1984 model year the diesel V8 was no longer offered in California for that very reason.

[11] In December 1984, General Motors announced the Oldsmobile Diesel engines would be discontinued during the 1985 model year.