RoadVitals

1987 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.
7
Latest Jul 14, 2000
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.
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado, most frequently naming the engine, steering and brakes 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

  • Engine225.0%
  • Steering225.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Interior & seats112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%

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
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

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2000

AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR HAD CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP THE CAR WOULD ACTUALLY JUMP AND BOUNCE AND BECOME DANGEROUSLY UNCONTROLLABLE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO PAUL WILLIAMS TIRE COMPANY ON LAKE STREET IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN, BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM SUCH AS SHOCKS, ETC. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE BOLTS HAD CORRODED OFF AND THE ENGINE WAS BOUNCING ON THE FRAME AND THIS WAS CAUSING ALL MY PROBLEMS. IT COST $710 TO REPAIR - $617 FOR THE REPAIR AND $93 FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR 2 DAYS. THEY HAD TROUBLE OBTAINING THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ID
725424
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 10, 1999

DASH LIGHT FLASHES OFF AND ON, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE TAIL LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS ALSO FLASH OFF AND ON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
847500
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 30, 1997

FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF VEHICLE, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
522764
Incident
Aug 2, 1997
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 1997

BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT MANY TIMES WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING NEAR CRASHES. 2ND TIME FOR SET OF NEW BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
810068
Steering
Filed Feb 26, 1996

'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD

NHTSA ID
501996
Incident
Feb 26, 1996
Steering
Filed Feb 12, 1996

DURING COLD WEATHER NOISE DEVELOPED IN POWER STEERING UPON MAKING A TURN. TT

NHTSA ID
979074
Incident
Jan 29, 1996
Engine
Filed May 9, 1995

THE ENGINE PISTON RING BROKE . TT

NHTSA ID
965021
Incident
Apr 24, 1995

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—
1987Viewing722—
1986123260.3
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.