RoadVitals

1988 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.
21
Latest Sep 25, 2001
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.
2
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Cadillac Allante, most frequently naming the brakes and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have 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

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

2 campaigns 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
88V072000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Apr 26, 1988
538 units potentially affected
The defect: PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE IN FUEL CAP MAY STICK DURING THE TURN TO VENT FUNCTION, CAUSING THE VALVE TO REMAIN OPEN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPILLAGE DURING AND AFTER ACOLLISION AND POSSIBLY A FIRE. VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS301.
The remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL CAP.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.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 21
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2001

BRAKES WITH NO POWER ASSIST. BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD. ABS WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED. VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO STOP. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. HAD VEHICLE WORKED ON, BUT BRAKING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR BLOCK AND RELAY NEEDED REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
896805
Incident
Nov 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
9001608
Brakes
Filed Jun 11, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
723879
Incident
May 30, 2000
Seat belts
Filed May 31, 2000

DUE TO SUN LIGHT PLASTIC HOUSING OF SEATBELTS THEY HAVE CRACKED . INTERNAL PARTS WITHIN SEATBELTS ASSEMLBY HAVE FAILED DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
862773
Brakes
Filed Feb 24, 2000

WHILE DRIVING STEPPED ON THE BRAKES PEDAL AND IT FELT HARD. THEN, TOOK IT FOR REPAIRS ,AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. , RECENTLY, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING ON TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
857519
Incident
Feb 24, 2000
Brakes
Filed Feb 14, 2000

MY 1988 CADILLAC ALLANTE HAS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD MUCH DIFFICULTY WITH THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS CAR AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE BOSCH ABS III SYSTEM HAS MANY COMPONENTS THAT APPEAR PRONE TO FAILURE AND I HOPE THAT THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED BY CADILLAC BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. LUCKILY, MY BRAKE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED CLOSE TO HOME AND THERE HAS BEEN NO LOSS OF LIFE OR PROPERTY DUE TO MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY. I PRAY THAT NOBODY DIES FROM THE DEFECTS IN THIS SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
718765
Incident
Dec 30, 1999
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2000

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED A MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR ON THE MESSAGE CENTER(ANIT LOCK BRAKES DISABLED). ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, DRIVER PUSHED ON THE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED DURING A HARD BRAKING STOP. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND DRY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC RECENTLY. MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
855866
Incident
Jun 6, 1999
Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 1999

THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM HAS BEEN NON-FUNCTIONAL FOR TWO YEARS, BUT THE NORMAL BRAKING WAS FINE. THEN LAST WEEK AS I PULLED INTO MY PARKING LOT I COULD ONLY BARELY BRING THE CAR TO A STOP WITH THE MIGHTIEST LEG. PRESS I COULD MUSTER. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ABS PUMP WAS RUNNING AND BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE. NOW THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY NO BRAKES AT ALL SO THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE. THE ABS PROBLEM WITH THE CADILLAC ALLANTE HAS BECOME ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH ITS OWNERS WHO HAVE SPENT MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN EFFORTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. PLEASE MAKE THE EFFORT TO PROMOTE A RECALL OF THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION SO THAT THE OWNERS OF THESE AMERICAN PRODUCTS CAN CONTINUE TO BE SAFE ON THE ROADS. THANK YOU, JAMES A. PETTERCHAK, M.D. *AK

NHTSA ID
715458
Incident
Nov 25, 1999

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
1988Viewing212360.1
1987341353.8

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.