RoadVitals

1987 Cadillac Allante

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Jul 9, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Cadillac Allante, most frequently naming the brakes, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes3278.0%
  • Powertrain (other)24.9%
  • Engine12.4%
  • Interior & seats12.4%
  • Tires & wheels12.4%
  • Transmission12.4%
  • Body & structure12.4%
  • Visibility12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA99017ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE

Opened Jun 30, 1999
Closed Dec 28, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
PE99012ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKING SYSTEM

Opened Feb 5, 1999
Closed Jun 30, 1999

CONSUMERS ALLEGE A PARTIAL OR TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DP99001ClosedDefect Petition

BRAKING SYSTEM

Opened Jan 6, 1999
Closed Feb 8, 1999

THE PETITIONER ALLEGE TOTAL LOSS OF ALL BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 34
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 9, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CADILLAC ALLANTE. THE VEHICLE HAS PIRELLI 2560VR15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FIELD. SHE SUSTAINED CUTS TO THE FOREHEAD, A BRUISED LEFT LEG, AND A CONCUSSION. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE TIRES WERE NOT INSPECTED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 09/18/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10195650
Incident
May 9, 2007
Mileage
160,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2006

THIS PAST WEEKEND THE BRAKES ON MY 1987 ALLANTE COMPLETELY FAILED LEAVING ME WITH ONLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFTING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVELED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FROM THE PUMP TO THE BRAKE UNIT ON THE FIREWALL DEVELOPED A PIN-HOLE; THIS ALLOWED THE SYSTEM TO PUMP ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID OVERBOARD IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. FROM THE TIME THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL I LOST ALL BRAKES WAS A MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS. HAD I BEEN ON A DIFFERENT ROAD OR HAD MY DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING THE CAR THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10164725
Incident
Aug 6, 2006
Mileage
130,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2004

ABS BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED ALL CADILLAC DEALERS IN ST LOUIS AREA AND THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SYSTEM. IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVABLE NOW FOR 2 YEARS,AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1987 ALLANTES. *CB

NHTSA ID
10054297
Incident
Jun 4, 2002
Mileage
99,157 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 29, 2002

BOSCH ABS FAILURES ARE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL CADILLAC. *AK

NHTSA ID
757488
Incident
Nov 21, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 18, 2001
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL WITH THE TRANSMISSION-A NEW MAIN COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION PRINDL SWITCH WERE INSTALLED. I STARTED OUT AND HEARD A BIG BOOM. THE INNER PLANETARY TRANSMISSION HOUSING UNIT EXPLODED INTO CHUNKS OF METAL ALL OVER THE ROAD AND SPRAYING TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO CATALYTIS CONVERTER CAUSING A FIRE. WIRING HARNESS AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE BURNT.

NHTSA ID
9003622
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Nov 10, 2000

I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH OTHER ALLANTE OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED BRAKE FAILURES WITH THE BOSCH III ABS SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THESE CARS. THIS FAILURE IS CATASTROPHIC BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM REQUIRES AT LEAST 3 1/2 PUMPS OF THE ACTUATOR, BUT CANNOT BE ENGAGED WITH THE CAR IN GEAR. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL WARN OF COMPONENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM USING A SERIES OF COMPLICATED CODES, IT IMPLIES THAT THAT ABS SYSTEM CAN BE DEACTIVATED AND THE BRAKES WILL STILL FUNCTION. THAT MAY BE CORRECT OR MAY NOT. IN SOME CASES, PEOPLE HAVE DRIVEN FOR A YEAR WITH THESE WARNINGS APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY, ONLY TO HAVE COMPLETE FAILURE OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. IN OTHERS, THE BRAKES FAILED ALMOST AS SOON AS THE WARNINGS APPEARED. WORSE YET, THE WARNINGS SEEM TO IMPLY THAT THE BRAKES WILL FUNCTION WITH THE "ABS SYSTEM DISABLED". IN SOME CASES THEY DO, BUT COMPLETE AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WILL OCCUR AT SOME COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE TIME IN THE FUTURE. THIS CIRCUMSTANCE IS ABSOLUTELY INTOLERABLE AND CONSTITUTES A MAJOR SAFETY THREAT TO THE OWNER AND THE PUBLIC. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS SYSTEM WILL RUN FROM $1500-4000, AND NEITHER CADILLAC NOR BOSCH HAS MADE ANY EFFORT TO "PATCH" OR UPDATE THE DESIGN, PROVIDE A MORE FAILSAFE SYSTEM, OR SUBSIDIZE IN ANY WAY THE COST OF THESE REPAIRS. I AM AWARE OF NO OTHER CAR WHOSE ESSENTIAL BRAKING SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE THOUSANDS TO MAINTAIN OR ABSOLUTELY WILL EITHER COST THOUSANDS THAVE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WILL SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITHIN 140,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
736098
Incident
Nov 9, 2000
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2000

ABS SYSTEMS ON ALLANTES DEFECTIVE--NHSTA ENGINEERS INVESTIGATING?

NHTSA ID
731858
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jun 29, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
724735

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Allante by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995100—
1993911—
1992231547.3
1991321355.5
1990401355.9
1989371349.3
1988212360.1
1987Viewing341353.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.