1985 Cadillac Eldorado Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1985 Cadillac Eldorado, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE ALLUMINUM BLOCK OVERHEATS& KNOCKS VALVE&CRANK SHAFT TRAN.LEAKS. *AK
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
BRAKES SURGES WHEN APPLIED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM EN FROM THE INSIDE, THUS TRAPPING PEOPLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE ALLUMINUM BLOCK OVERHEATS& KNOCKS VALVE&CRANK SHAFT TRAN.LEAKS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WILL START TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE CONSUMED TOO MUCH FUEL WHICH CRYSTALLIZE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .