Cadillac ELDORADO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
206 owner complaints analyzed
28 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1968 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 141 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 206 complaints (11.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 33 | 16.0% |
| Engine operation | 19 | 9.2% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 15 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
Electrical System: 23; Engine And Engine Cooling: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 17; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 15; Engine: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 34 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 27 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 33 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 34; 75,000 to 99,999: 27; 100,000 to 149,999: 33; 150,000 and above: 17
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (34). 65 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 47 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 21 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2003: 47; 2004: 39; 2005: 21; 2006: 9; 2007: 13; 2008: 14; 2009: 8; 2010: 9; 2011: 7; 2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 7; 2015: 8; 2016: 10; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029666 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL BRAKE PROBLEMS AND HAS MANAGED TO AVOID A COLLISION. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VACUUM PUMP AND BOOSTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10711825 · 2015-04-20 (April 20, 2015)
FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS IF I HAD FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL. I BRAKED HARD AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP, THE ENGINE STILL RACING. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A WHILE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. NORMAL OPERATION. I WAS TOO FAR FOR A TOW, SO I DROVE ~50 MILES TO MY DAUGHTER'S HOUSE. THE CAR ACCELERATED TWICE MORE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. HARD BRAKE, PULL TO THE SIDE, SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTART, EVERYTHING NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES, TWICE WITH WITNESSES TO SEE THAT I DID NOT MISTAKENLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL INST…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,409 miles reported. Look up ODI 10711825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10390532 · 2011-03-17 (March 17, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN FOR AN HOUR AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10390532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017854 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015919 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097592 · 2004-11-15 (November 15, 2004)
THE CONSUMER STATED RECALL #93V164000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. BUT, CONSUMER HAD TO PAY LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO TRY AND GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY DIED WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE LOCKED WHILE IN PARK, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THE ENGINE SURGED AND DIED WHEN STOPPING AND THE EGR VALVE BINDING. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED HOSE AND REAR MAIN SEAL LEAKAGE AND A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365694 · 2010-11-15 (November 15, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CADILLAC ELDORADO TOURING COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. SHE THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND PIECES OF THE GASKET. THE CONTACTS MECHANIC ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL INJECTOR AND IT HAD FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT INQUIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092108 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)
TWO DAY AFTER DEALER HAD PERFORM A RECALL LETTER NHTSA #04V11000, WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE: 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 COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367817 · 2010-11-24 (November 24, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO HEADLIGHTS WHEN OUT BARELY ABLE TO SEE 5 MINUTES AFTERWARDS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON THINKING THAT I MUST HAVE A WIRE LOOSE CHECK WIRING WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND NO LOOSE WIRE ANYWHERE. NEXT DAY HAD VEHICLE SERVICE TO SEE IF MECHANIC COULD FIND WHY MY LIGHTS ARE KEEP TURNING OFF. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SO WHEN I DECIDED TO GO OUT FOR DINNER MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT IS WORKING WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE PARKING LIGHT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 166,255 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367819 · 2010-11-24 (November 24, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BARELY ABLE TO SEE, THEN 5 MINUTES AFTERWARDS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, THINKING THAT I MUST HAVE A WIRE LOOSE SO I CHECKED THE WIRING WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND NO LOOSE WIRES ANYWHERE. DURING THE NEXT DAY I HAD MY 1992 CADILLAC SERVICED TO SEE IF THE MECHANIC COULD FIND OUT WHY THE LIGHTS ARE TURNING OFF. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SO WHEN I DECIDED TO GO OUT FOR DINNER MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON AGAIN. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT IS WORKING WAS THE PASSENGER SI…
Owner-reported narrative. 166,255 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008039 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THIS CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS.MAIN ISSUE IS ROUGH IDLE AND LOSS OF POWER.SO FAR REPAIRS HAVE COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND CAR IS STILL UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS.TWO FUEL INJECTORS,MAIN BEARING,TORQUE CONVERTER,4 WATER PUMPS,STRUTS REPLACED TWICE,2 STARTERS,ENGINE MOUNTS,AIR CONDENSER,2 SPEAKERS HAVE BLOWN,ECM DOES NOT SHOW CODES OR PROBLEMS WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF OIL AND WATER,BRAKE LINES,CV JOINTS AND BALL JOINTS REPLACED TWICE,MANY MORE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE …
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10331977 · 2010-05-24 (May 24, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CADILLAC ELDORADO.ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH , THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 6000.THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 93V164000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 186,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 186,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331977 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1986: 2; 1987: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 1; 1990: 3; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 2; 1994: 2; 1995: 2; 1996: 2; 1997: 2; 1998: 1; 1999: 0; 2000: 1; 2001: 0; 2002: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1973 | 2 | 1 | Not available |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1979 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 1984 | 0 | 3 | +2 |
| 1985 | 3 | 2 | -1 |
| 1986 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 | -1 |
| 1989 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 1990 | 3 | 3 | +2 |
| 1991 | 2 | 1 | -2 |
| 1992 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 | 2 | +1 |
| 1994 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 | 29 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 31 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 31 | 2 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 1 | -1 |
| 1999 | 12 | 0 | -1 |
| 2000 | 23 | 1 | +1 |
| 2001 | 18 | 0 | -1 |
| 2002 | 10 | 0 | 0 |