RoadVitals

1986 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.
12
Latest Apr 19, 2002
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.
3
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.
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Cadillac Eldorado, most frequently naming the interior & seats, electrical and steering categories. 3 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

  • Interior & seats425.0%
  • Electrical318.8%
  • Steering212.5%
  • Engine212.5%
  • Exterior lighting212.5%
  • Tires & wheels16.3%
  • Other / unspecified16.3%
  • Driver assistance16.3%

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

3 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
87V082000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Jun 4, 1987
37,481 units potentially affected
The defect: FLOOR MAT COULD BECOME MISPOSITIONED AND INTERFERE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
The risk: THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE CLOSED IDLE POSITIONCAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASHWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: REPLACE FLOOR MATS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED MATS THAT ARE LONGER AND HAVE IMPROVED RETENTION.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
87V047000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 6, 1987
56,783 units potentially affected
The defect: THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL POTENTIOMETER (THUMBWHEEL CONTROL) MIGHT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT.
The risk: WITH THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL SYSTEM ON, THE INTERMITTENTCIRCUIT COULD CAUSE HEADLIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TO GO OUT. SUDDENLOSS OF HEADLIGHTS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY AND MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW PART IN ONE OF THE VEHICLES CONTROL COMPUTERS TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION FROM OCCURING.
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 12
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 19, 2002

WHILE DRIVING THE DASH COMPLETELY WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE GAVE NO WARNING. TOOK TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS TO OLD. NLM

NHTSA ID
8008130
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 26, 1999

HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
845874
Incident
Aug 12, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed May 18, 1998

STARTED VEHICLE, EVERTHING APPEARED NORMAL, MOVED GEARSHIFT LEVER TO DRIVE POSITION, ENGINE ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE, BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT STOP THE MOTION, FRON WHEEL DRIVE LEFT BURN MARKS ON DRIVEWAY 18 FEET IN LENGTH, WHEN CAR RESTED ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, POSSIBLE DUE TO COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID
522214
Incident
Jun 9, 1997
Steering
Filed Mar 25, 1998

STEERING DIFFICULTIES SINCE OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
533086
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 1998

ENGINE FAILS WHILE MAKING U-TURNS.

NHTSA ID
531297
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 26, 1997

WHILE PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT THROUGH GARAGE AND INTO HOME. THIS CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HOME AND VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
521441
Incident
Jun 9, 1997
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
507807
Incident
Jul 25, 1996
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Jun 20, 1996

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR DAY AT SOME POINT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, ALSO DASHLIGHTS/TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT, COMPUTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
985218
Incident
Mar 10, 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—
1986Viewing123260.3
1985102260.6
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.