RoadVitals

1994 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.
35
Latest Apr 10, 2016
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 Aug 31, 1994
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.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Cadillac Eldorado, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 30 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Engine1125.0%
  • Brakes715.9%
  • Electrical613.6%
  • Transmission511.4%
  • Driver assistance511.4%
  • Powertrain (other)24.5%
  • Tires & wheels24.5%
  • Fuel system24.5%

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
94V158000

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Aug 31, 1994
56,269 units potentially affected
The defect: IF THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CONTACTS THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUT HOSE, THE HOSE MAY WEAR THROUGH ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The risk: AN OIL LEAK THAT CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO RETAIN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUTLET HOSE TO THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR ASSURING ADEQUATE CLEARANCE OF THE AFFECTED HOSE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
93V164000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 1, 1993
8,545 units potentially affected
The defect: THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE RETAINING BRACKET.
The risk: THE DISENGAGED THROTTLE CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THETHROTTLE CAM MECHANISM, RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE STICKING IN EITHER THE OPENPOSITION OR CLOSED POSITION. WHEN THE THROTTLE STICKS IN THE OPEN POSITION,UNWANTED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WILL OCCUR WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSPECT THROTTLE CABLES TO ENSURE THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE IS FULLY SEATED IN THE RETAINING BRACKET AND INSTALL A CABLE TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE CABLE IN ITS CORRECT SEAT.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE94053ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Jul 14, 1994
Closed Sep 16, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 94V158000
SQ94016ClosedInvestigation

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH

Opened Feb 7, 1994
Closed Mar 21, 1994

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 35
Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2016

WATER PUMP LEAK AFTER 50K MILES. HAD TO BE REPAIRED 3 TIMES. POSSIBLY DUE TO OVERHEATING WHEN RADIATOR CAP WAS LEFT LOOSE.

NHTSA ID
10854607
Incident
Jan 5, 2004
Mileage
45,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 9, 2016

REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK AFTER 70K MILES. WILL REQUIRE OVER $4K DUE TO ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REMOVED.

NHTSA ID
10854605
Incident
Feb 2, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 9, 2016

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 60K MILES AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT.

NHTSA ID
10854604
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 15, 2010
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CADILLAC ELDORADO TOURING COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. SHE THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND PIECES OF THE GASKET. THE CONTACTS MECHANIC ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL INJECTOR AND IT HAD FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10365694
Incident
Nov 9, 2010
Mileage
130,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 24, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CADILLAC ELDORADO.ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH , THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 6000.THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 93V164000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 186,000.

NHTSA ID
10331977
Incident
Sep 5, 2008
Mileage
186,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 29, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE CONTACT FELT HEAT COMING FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND STAYED THAT WAY. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE FAILURE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE IT VIBRATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE A VIBRATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186509
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
Mileage
180,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 18, 2005

PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE BLEW OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE RIM TO BE DAMAGED, AND BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE REAR FENDER WAS ALSO DAMAGED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10109421
Incident
May 30, 2004
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 10, 2005

WHILE DRIVING REAR RIGHT TIRE EXPLODED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. MICHELIN TIRES, RADIAL ALL SEASON TIRE, DOT M33VE4JX4302, P225/60R16 97S. *AK

NHTSA ID
10114932
Incident
Sep 1, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

PIC4696C

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

990601019

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE OIL LEAKS ALONG THE UPPER TO LOWER CRANKCASE JOINT. *TT

01792

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4.0L L47, 4.6L LD8 L37 ENGINE WATER PUMP COVER P/N 12571913- THERMOSTAT LOOSE. ALSO INCLUDING MODEL 2003 CADILLAC ELDORADO. *MR

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1994Viewing352253.3
1993352049.6
1992251042.7
1991910—
1990254055.2
1989820—
1988912—
1987722—
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.