Cadillac Eldorado Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 28 safety recalls and 206 owner complaints across 27 model years of the Cadillac Eldorado (1968–2002). The most-complained-about year is 1996.

Pick your Cadillac Eldorado model year

• 1968
• 1973
• 1977
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002

What Cadillac Eldorado owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA. The 1996 model year has the most, with 31.

• Electrical system23
• Engine and engine cooling: engine16
• Engine and engine cooling15
• Fuel system, gasoline: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings15
• Fuel system, gasoline: fuel rail15
• Engine11
• Fuel system, gasoline10
• Fuel/propulsion system6

All Cadillac Eldorado recalls (28)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Cadillac Eldorado, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

   NHTSA 04V110000 Reported March 4, 2004 483,477 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction may degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that may crack. Cracking of the fuel rail or return line tubing can result in a fuel leak into the engine…

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine fuel rail with a new stainless steel fuel rail. Dealers will also install a revised chassis fuel return line. The recall began on june 2, 2004, for 1996-1997…

   Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997

2. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 99V301000 Reported October 29, 1999 1,284 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The inner tie rod nuts are loose and can result in separation of a tie rod.

   Remedy: Dealers will check and adjust the vehicle toe-in and tighten the inner tie rod nuts to the specified torque.

   Model years: 2000

3. Air bags

   NHTSA 98V115000 Reported May 26, 1998 102,627 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags can occur due to water intrusion.

   Remedy: Dealers will clean the exterior case of the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm) and appply a potting compound to the sdm case and electrical connector body.

   Model years: 1995

4. Vehicle speed control

   NHTSA 97V183000 Reported October 27, 1997 8,611 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, hearses and limousines. The canister purge evaporative emissions harness on these vehicles was misrouted.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper routing of the harness, correct as necessary, and install a plastic tie strap to the harness.

   Model years: 1998

5. Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)

   NHTSA 97V064000 Reported April 28, 1997 156,910 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module can cause the antilock brake system (ABS) to cycle during a non-ABS brake application.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module.

   Model years: 1997

6. Electrical (equipment)

   NHTSA 95V224000 Reported November 30, 1995 1,408 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The analog instrument panel cluster on these vehicles could have an internal short circuit disrupting the pass key system, causing failure of the instrument panel gauges and tell-tales, and a possible no-start condition. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 101, "controls and displays;" no. 108, "lamps, reflective…

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the instrument panel cluster.

   Model years: 1996

7. Webbing (seat belts)

   NHTSA 95V110000 Reported May 31, 1995 113,343 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The front outer shoulder belt web sew stop can become stuck in the retractor. The belt can be difficult to pull out of the retractor and some occupants may not be able to fasten the belt.

   Remedy: Dealer will install a webbing stop button if the customer requests repair.

   Model years: 1990, 1991

8. Air conditioner (equipment)

   NHTSA 94V158000 Reported August 31, 1994 56,269 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   If the air conditioner compressor clutch assembly contacts the auxiliary engine oil cooler out hose, the hose may wear through allowing engine oil to leak in the engine compartment.

   Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap to retain the auxiliary engine oil cooler outlet hose to the auxiliary engine oil cooler inlet hose at the bottom of the radiator assuring adequate clearance of the affected hose from…

   Model years: 1993, 1994

9. Vehicle speed control

   NHTSA 93V164000 Reported October 1, 1993 8,545 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The throttle cable can become disengaged from the retaining bracket.

   Remedy: Inspect throttle cables to ensure the throttle control cable is fully seated in the retaining bracket and install a cable tie strap to secure the cable in its correct seat.

   Model years: 1994

10. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 93V088000 Reported May 17, 1993 10,146 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The fuel feed and return lines to the engine fuel injection system were not fully assembled and locked. The lines can work loose, causing a fuel leak in the engine compartment.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect vehicle and, if necessary, adjust or replace the fuel feed and return lines to the engine fuel injection system.

    Model years: 1993

11. Rack and pinion (steering)

    NHTSA 91V157000 Reported September 18, 1991 2,371 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The intermediate shaft to steering rack lower coupling pinch bolt may be missing.

    Remedy: Install pinch bolt.

    Model years: 1992

12. Floor shift (power train)

    NHTSA 90V164000 Reported September 6, 1990 63,964 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the from the floor shift control with loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.

    Remedy: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip to prevent cable disengagement.

    Model years: 1990

13. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 90V028000 Reported February 12, 1990 10,166 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Misaligned rear seat safety belt shoulder retractor assemblies could cause pendulum interference, causing the belt to remain in locked position or to travel freely without locking.

    Remedy: Realign rear shoulder belt retractor assembly.

    Model years: 1990

14. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 89V102000 Reported June 16, 1989 1,755,897 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Model years: 1984, 1985

15. Antilock (service brakes)

    NHTSA 89V055000 Reported April 5, 1989 634 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    One or both ABS hydraulic unit mounting bolts may not be properly seated and could loosen.

    Remedy: Replace both ABS hydraulic unit mounting bolts.

    Model years: 1989

16. Power window devices and controls (visibility)

    NHTSA 87V167000 Reported October 26, 1987 5,442 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Water or snow dripping onto drivers side window switch assemblies may cause an electrical short and switches to overheat.

    Remedy: Install newly designed window switches. (1984 models will receive new connectors also).

    Model years: 1984, 1985

17. Linkages (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V082000 Reported June 4, 1987 37,481 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Floor mat could become mispositioned and interfere with accelerator pedal.

    Remedy: Replace floor mats with newly designed mats that are longer and have improved retention.

    Model years: 1986

18. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 87V047000 Reported April 6, 1987 56,783 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The twilight sentinel potentiometer (thumbwheel control) might have been manufactured with electrical contacts which could result in an intermittent headlight circuit.

    Remedy: Install a new part in one of the vehicles control computers to prevent this condition from occuring.

    Model years: 1986, 1987

19. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 84V011000 Reported February 6, 1984 76,586 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1984

20. Motor (visibility)

    NHTSA 82V110000 Reported November 15, 1982 5,316 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    During windshield wiper operation, the noise suppresion capacitor in the wiper motor relay may overheat.

    Remedy: The dealer will modify the windshield wiper motor delay relay by removing the noise suppresion capacitor. This will be done free of charge.

    Model years: 1983

21. Cables (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 82V060000 Reported June 8, 1982 189 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Some of the involved vehicles contain incorrect accelerator cable brackets. This could allow the cruise control servo rod to bind on the accelerator cable bracket.

    Remedy: Dealer will install the correct cable bracket without charge to owner. Vehicles without cruise control will also be modified in the event that cruise control is later added.

    Model years: 1982

22. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 82V012000 Reported January 3, 1982 79,686 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Under certain vehicle operating conditions, the governor weight retainer in the injection pump may fail. The throttle valve could stick, preventing return to idle and shut down of the engine by the driver.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the governor weight assembly in the injection pump at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1982

23. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 81V073000 Reported June 16, 1981 9,070 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The front left upper control arm nuts may not have been securely tightened. The nuts may loosen and come off and with continued driving the control arm front bolt may work its way out of position or become displaced.

    Model years: 1981

24. Gear position indication (prndl) (power train)

    NHTSA 80V003000 Reported January 15, 1980 18,881 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Two screws which secure the shift linkage bracket may loosen and fall out. Consequently, the gear position indicated on the transmission selector may differ from the actual gear position of the transmission. This constitutes a non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter…

    Remedy: Dealer will securely tighten screws on all involved vehicles, without charge.

    Model years: 1980

25. Conventional (parking brake)

    NHTSA 79V069000 Reported March 13, 1979 92 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems". An incorrect parking brake adjusting spring was installed on certain vehicles. This may cause interference when attempting to apply the parking brakes.

    Remedy: The caliper actuator assembly will be replaced without charge.

    Model years: 1979

26. Column shift (power train)

    NHTSA 78V252000 Reported November 20, 1978 6,155 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The transmissions have been assembled with a higher than normal return spring load on the transmission locking pawl. When the park position is selected with the transmission shift lever, the parking pawl may not engage.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the parking pawl actuator assembly with an improved type at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1977

27. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 73V123000 Reported May 29, 1973 1,112 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

28. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 68V069000 Reported July 11, 1968 71 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1968

Other Cadillac models

• SRX3,262 complaints
• Deville2,725 complaints
• CTS2,217 complaints
• Escalade1,713 complaints
• Seville801 complaints
• Escalade ESV533 complaints
• DTS527 complaints
• Catera468 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.