RoadVitals

1985 Cadillac Eldorado

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.
10
Latest May 27, 2010
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 Jun 16, 1989
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.
2
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Cadillac Eldorado, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Engine218.2%
  • Brakes218.2%
  • Body & structure218.2%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%
  • Steering19.1%
  • Transmission19.1%
  • Driver assistance19.1%
  • Fuel system19.1%

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
89V102000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jun 16, 1989
1,755,897 units potentially affected
The defect: 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).
The risk: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
87V167000

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Oct 26, 1987
5,442 units potentially affected
The defect: WATER OR SNOW DRIPPING ONTO DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SWITCH ASSEMBLIES MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND SWITCHES TO OVERHEAT.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE DOOR PANEL AREA.
The remedy: INSTALL NEWLY DESIGNED WINDOW SWITCHES. (1984 MODELS WILL RECEIVE NEW CONNECTORS ALSO).
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

C89001ClosedInvestigation

THROTTLE NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989
Closed Jan 16, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA88036ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Jul 22, 1988
Closed Aug 30, 1991

SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
Body & structure
Filed May 27, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 CADILLAC ELDORADO. HE STATED THE PAINT ON BOTH THE HOOD AND TRUNK AREAS WERE BEGINNING TO PEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10332521
Incident
Aug 19, 2007
Mileage
51,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 15, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10015919
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Apr 15, 2003

THE VEHICLE CONSUMED TOO MUCH FUEL WHICH CRYSTALLIZE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10015917
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed May 28, 2002

VEHICLE WILL START TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK.*JB

NHTSA ID
8010500
Incident
Jan 2, 1997
EngineTransmission
Filed Feb 4, 2002
Crash reported

ENGINE ALLUMINUM BLOCK OVERHEATS& KNOCKS VALVE&CRANK SHAFT TRAN.LEAKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
757764
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2000

CADILLAC DEALER ADVISED THAT ALL CADILLACS EQUIPPED WITH REAR DISKS BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSEMPLY ARE DEFECTIVE AND THEY HAVE REPAIR KITS AVAILABLE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF 1979 THROUGH 1985 CADILLACS ON THE ROAD CONTAINING THESE DEFECTIVE BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
728536
Incident
Aug 21, 2000
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2000
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATED. ALSO, DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION RADIATOR CAP BLEW COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSING BOILING HOT ANTI-FREEZE TO SPLASH ONTO THE PASSENGER. THE RADIATOR CAP WAS THE ORIGINAL ONE WHICH WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE OR PUT ON. RADIATOR CAP REPLACED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
859222
Incident
Mar 16, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Jun 27, 1996

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE THE ROOF CAME OFF . *AK REPAIRSHOP STATED THAT THE ROOF WAS ONLY HELD BY RIVETS, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SILICONED FIRST AND THEN TACKED ON. *SLC

NHTSA ID
986213
Incident
Jun 26, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Eldorado by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100038.5
2001240027.6
2000301045.7
1999230035.1
1998381037.6
1997592258.7
1996602356.6
1995542463.5
1994352253.3
1993352049.6
1992251042.7
1991910—
1990254055.2
1989820—
1988912—
1987722—
1986123260.3
1985Viewing102260.6
1984734—
1983421—
1982331—
1981110—
1980010—
1979110—
1977010—
1973210—
1968010—

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.