1992 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 1992 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
- Suspension516.1%
- Engine516.1%
- Brakes412.9%
- Interior & seats39.7%
- Driver assistance39.7%
- Visibility26.5%
- Exterior lighting26.5%
- Tires & wheels26.5%
- Steering13.2%
- Electrical13.2%
- Airbags13.2%
- Transmission13.2%
- Powertrain (other)13.2%
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH AIR STRUT SENSOR FAILING TO REGISTER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. THE CAR HAS BEEN ALIGNED AND DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND HE ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO COOL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/20/13
TRANSMISSION STUCK AT 30 MPH LOST ALL READINGS ON INSTUMENT PANEL BUT THE CAR DID NOT STALL , TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPS AT 25 TO 30 MPH RANGE , CAR EMITTS A BAD ODOR AT TIMES THAT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS ALSO A RATTLE FROM CATYLITTIC CONV., DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH GRINDING NOISE AND FORCE IT CAN BE USED , TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY WORKS PART TIME FEEL LIKE ITS NOT ATTATCHED TO ANYTHING INSIDE. WHILE SLOWING TO ALMOST STOP THE CAR DIES OFF COMPLETELY.
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
DEVELOPED PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. TOOK CAR TO MIDAS AND WAS TOLD BOTH REAR PROPORTION VALVES WERE LEAKING. MIDAS' DATABASE SHOWED A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVING THIS FAILURE ON BOTH SIDES AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. WHEN DISCUSSED WITH CADILLAC REPAIR (BUD WEISER MOTORS, BELOIT, WI), THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN MY VEHICLES BRAKES AND THE FACT THAT BOTH VALVES FAILED AT THE SAME TIME WAS A COINCIDENCE. THEY REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE A POSSIBLE PROBLEM. THIS ASSEMBLY CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP.
AT 40-50MPH WHILE TRYING TO STOP, BRAKES JAMMED OR FROZE AND DID NOT STOP, RESULTING IN A REAREND COLLISION, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN JUNE OF 2003, I PURCHASED A 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO, THAT WAS A TRADE-IN AT RUDDELL AUTO MALL, IN PORT ANGELES, WA. THIS ELDORADO WAS GIVEN A SERVICE CHECK, BUT ONE FRONT SEAT (DRIVERS SIDE) WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, I ASKED THAT IT BE FIXED BEFORE I TOOK POSSESSION, OF IT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP, THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS WORKING, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT. DURING THE PAST TEN OR SO MONTHS, THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED TO RECLINE, AND UPON TRYING TO RAISE DRIVERS SEAT BACK TO A SAFE UPRIGHT POSITION, IT FAILS TO DO SO. NOW BOTH SEATS ARE NOT WORKING, EACH HAVING MANUAL RECLINE LEVERS (BROKEN), AND SIX-WAY ELECTRIC ADJUSTMENT THAT WORK ON BOTH FRONT SEATS. IS THIS A COMMON DEFECT, FOR THE '92 ELDORADO MANUAL RECLINE SEATS? THE DEALER COSTS FOR TOTAL SEAT REPLACEMENT, IS TOO HIGH, DEALER COST FOR EACH SEAT-BACK RECLINE HINGE (TWO IN EACH SEAT) IS $148.00 +TAX AND LABOR. WHICH IS ALSO TOO HIGH, FOR A RETIRED 60 YEAR OLD, DISABLED VETERAN, LIVING ON LIMITED INCOME. *JB
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK WILL NOT STAY IN A UPRIGHT POSTION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND MADE REPAIRS AT CONSUMER'S COST. CURRENTLY, PASSENGER'S SEAT APPEARS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE ROCKET MECHANISM WHICH ADJUSTS THE SEAT BACK ANGLE FAILED ONE NOTCH AT A TIME UNTIL THE SEAT BACK GAVE WAY COMPLETELY. *SLC
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
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED AND REACHED ABOUT 4,000 RPMS BEFORE CONSUMER HIT BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT VARIOUS TIMES WITH OUT ANY KIND OF WARNING. *YH
ENGINE SURGED BY ITSELF, AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD AND CUTS OFF. DEALER CONTACTED APPROXIMATELY TWO TIMES, AND DEALER CANNOT DUPICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION STUCK AT 30 MPH LOST ALL READINGS ON INSTUMENT PANEL BUT THE CAR DID NOT STALL , TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPS AT 25 TO 30 MPH RANGE , CAR EMITTS A BAD ODOR AT TIMES THAT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS ALSO A RATTLE FROM CATYLITTIC CONV., DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH GRINDING NOISE AND FORCE IT CAN BE USED , TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY WORKS PART TIME FEEL LIKE ITS NOT ATTATCHED TO ANYTHING INSIDE. WHILE SLOWING TO ALMOST STOP THE CAR DIES OFF COMPLETELY.
STRUT FAILED, VEHICKLE BOUNCES ALL OVER THE ROAD/DRIFTS LEFT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BARELY ABLE TO SEE, THEN 5 MINUTES AFTERWARDS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, THINKING THAT I MUST HAVE A WIRE LOOSE SO I CHECKED THE WIRING WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND NO LOOSE WIRES ANYWHERE. DURING THE NEXT DAY I HAD MY 1992 CADILLAC SERVICED TO SEE IF THE MECHANIC COULD FIND OUT WHY THE LIGHTS ARE TURNING OFF. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SO WHEN I DECIDED TO GO OUT FOR DINNER MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON AGAIN. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT IS WORKING WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE PARKING LIGHT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING DOWN COUNTRY SIDE ROADS IF IT WAS TOTALLY DARK OUTSIDE I WOULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO HEADLIGHTS WHEN OUT BARELY ABLE TO SEE 5 MINUTES AFTERWARDS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON THINKING THAT I MUST HAVE A WIRE LOOSE CHECK WIRING WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND NO LOOSE WIRE ANYWHERE. NEXT DAY HAD VEHICLE SERVICE TO SEE IF MECHANIC COULD FIND WHY MY LIGHTS ARE KEEP TURNING OFF. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SO WHEN I DECIDED TO GO OUT FOR DINNER MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT IS WORKING WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE PARKING LIGHT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING DOWN COUNTRY SIDE ROADS IF IT WAS TOTALLY DARK OUTSIDE I WOULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE'S FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS CHANGING LANES WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK THE MEDIAN. *SCC *JB
TREAD SPARATED ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE EARLIER IN YEAR AND NOW RIGHT REAR TREAD IS ABOUT TO GO. CAR IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY ON SURFACE ROADS, NOT AT HIGH SPEED. DT
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
VEHICLE STALLS OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND IS DIFFICULT TO START AT TIMES.WHEN THIS OCCURS CAR HAS LOSS OF ALL POWER CONTROLS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STALLS OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND IS DIFFICULT TO START AT TIMES.WHEN THIS OCCURS CAR HAS LOSS OF ALL POWER CONTROLS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 40-50MPH WHILE TRYING TO STOP, BRAKES JAMMED OR FROZE AND DID NOT STOP, RESULTING IN A REAREND COLLISION, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
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
TRANSMISSION STUCK AT 30 MPH LOST ALL READINGS ON INSTUMENT PANEL BUT THE CAR DID NOT STALL , TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPS AT 25 TO 30 MPH RANGE , CAR EMITTS A BAD ODOR AT TIMES THAT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS ALSO A RATTLE FROM CATYLITTIC CONV., DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH GRINDING NOISE AND FORCE IT CAN BE USED , TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY WORKS PART TIME FEEL LIKE ITS NOT ATTATCHED TO ANYTHING INSIDE. WHILE SLOWING TO ALMOST STOP THE CAR DIES OFF COMPLETELY.
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
THE TRANSAXLE OIL COOLING SYSTEM CAME LOOSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP . *AK
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 .