1996 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 1996 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
- Electrical2226.2%
- Engine1416.7%
- Fuel system1214.3%
- Visibility89.5%
- Steering44.8%
- Brakes44.8%
- Driver assistance33.6%
- Interior & seats22.4%
- Body & structure22.4%
- Airbags22.4%
- Other / unspecified22.4%
- Seat belts22.4%
- Tires & wheels22.4%
- Transmission22.4%
- Heating & air conditioning11.2%
- Exterior lighting11.2%
- Suspension11.2%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON OUR WAY TO A FAMILY FUNERAL BELLS STARTED GOING OFF AND LIGHTS FLASHING. MY HUSBAND HAD PUT IN A NEW ENGINE FROM ONE STOP AUTO DON'T KNOW WHY. WHEN WE CAME BACK FROM VIRGINIA I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO IT. HE BELIEVED THE BRAIN AND THE ENGINE WASN'T COMMUNICATING. MY HUSBAND SUGGESTED WE TAKE THE CAR TO CHESAPEAKE CADILLAC IN COCKEYSVILLE WHERE HE USUALLY BUY HIS CAR FROM. WHEN WE WENT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MY HUSBAND AND THE SERVICE PERSON [XXX] NEW EACH OTHER BECAUSE HE WOULD TAKE HIS CAR THERE FOR SERVICE. WE ALSO TOLD THEM WE BELIEVED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR. MY HUSBAND ALSO TOLD HIM TO DEAL WITH ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME. AND WE WERE SEPARATED AND HE WAS MOVING NOT TO SEND ANYTHING TO HIS OLD ADDRESS BUT TO TALK TO ME. WHEN I WOULD CALL [XXX] TO ASK ABOUT THE VEHICLE HE MADE IT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS WAS GOING ON WITH THE CAR. HE TOLD ME TO TELL MY HUSBAND TO CALL HIM AND I ASKED HIM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON WAS THE CAR READY. IT WAS ONLY TAKEN THERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC SO I COULD TAKE THE CAR BACK TO WHERE THE ENGINE WAS PUT IN JUST NEEDED CONFIRMATION. [XXX] NEVER TOLD ME THE CAR WAS DONE AND I COULD PICK IT UP. THEY SEND INFORMATION TO MY HUSBAND OLD ADDRESS NOT TO ME SINCE HE DIDN'T RESPOND AND I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE [XXX] NEVER TOLD ME IT WAS READY. AND IT WAS READY NOR DID HE TELL ME THEY SEND INFO TO MY HUSBAND. THEY TOLD ME TO STORIES THEY GAVE IT TO A JUNK YARD BUT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE THEM ANYTHING BECAUSE THE CAR WAS A PIECE OF JUNK. THE OTHER WAS THAT THEY HAD FIXED IT AND I NEVER CAME TO PAY FOR IT. WHEN I CALLED AND TOLD [XXX] THAT I WAS COMING TO PICK THE CAR UP HE TOLD ME TO HOLD ON TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS ON THE LOT. HE CAME BACK AND ASKED ME IF I HAD ALREADY PICKED THE CAR UP. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RECALL. THEY TOOK MY CAR FROM ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING BEFORE COMPLETELY FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,200.
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 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STOP ENGINE NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD OIL TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE HEAD BOLTS RUST CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED BY NORTHSTAR.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WAS SPRAYING FUEL ONTO HOT ENGINE (INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/17/10, AND REPAIRED AT LOCAL CERTIFIED REPAIR CENTER.) NHTSA RECALL #04V110000/GM RECALL NO. 41921. OWNER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON 06/02/04 FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AND 1996-1997 AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND OLDSMOBILE AURORA'S WERE SENT LETTERS ON 08/06/04. NO MENTION OF 1996 CADILLAC EL DORADO ! CADILLAC DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REIMBURSE OWNER FOR REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT INTERMITTENLY REDUCING VISABILITY TO ZERO.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WOULD GO COMPLETELY OUT. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATE.D DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO SMOKE WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE, AND FUSE FOR ENGINE FAN WAS MISSING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ACCELERATOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE RESPONSE IS SPONTANEOUS WITH LITTLE CONTROL OF ACCELERATION.
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
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . *AK *BF *NM
CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND NEITHER WAS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *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
NHTSA RECALL 04V110000 REGARDING FUEL RAIL TUBING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PERFORM REPAIRS THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM WORK ON THE THROTTLE BODY, AND IT WOULD COST CONSUMER $690.00. CONSUMER INFORMED MANAGER THAT HE WANTED VEHICLE BACK, AND THAT HE WOULD TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, MANAGER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $96.00 FOR THEM TO PUT BACK THE VEHICLE TOGETHER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 TO 50 MPH CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAME LOOSE FROM ITS BRACKET AND CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. ALSO, BRKES WHERE NOT RESPONDING, TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *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
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT FAILED TO COME ON. THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTACT THE DEALER. RECALL 95V224000 CONCERNING INTERIOR SYSTEMS INSTRUMENT PANEL ELECTRONIC MESSAGE WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *AK
INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WOULD GO COMPLETELY OUT. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATE.D DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO SMOKE WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE, AND FUSE FOR ENGINE FAN WAS MISSING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, ON SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER, ONCE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, CONSUMERS DAUGHTER SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE GASOLINE THAT HAD SPILLED FROM THE CAR. (COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED BY SHARON HARRIS DAUGHTER OF SANDRA HARRIS). *YD
DEFECTIVE SEALS ON DRIVER'S DOOR, CAUSING NOISE.
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
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. JUST AFTERWARDS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AFFECTING DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DRIVER RAN OFF ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A SIGN. *AK
HIT FRONT LEFT QUARTER PANEL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRES LEAKING AT RIM. FIRST NOTICED IN 2008. REPAIRED BY WALMART BY "GLUING TIRE TO RIM" (MY WORDS). LASTED ABOUT 1.5 YEARS. NOW TWO TIRES LEAKING AT RIM ON 1996 ELDORADO. AFTER RESEARCH I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CORROSION IN THE ALLOY (CHROME) WHEEL. GM'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. THIS IS BIG BUCKS FOR 4 WHEELS (ABOUT $1500). *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHICH REPAIRED THE ANALOG INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TO FIX THE STARTING FAILURE. THE DASH LIGHT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH AND AT NIGHT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V224000. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK
PROBLEM WITH SEAT BELT LOOP ON CAR SEAT.
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
ON NOVEMBER 22 2006, I BROUGHT FOUR TIRES (SUMITOMO 225 40Z18 SU HTRII 8) FROM SEARS AT FAIRLANE TOWN CENTER IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN. I BELIEVE THAT THE INSTALLER OF THE TIRE AT SEARS WAS AWARE OF THE BUBBLE. I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICE THE BUBBLE UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AT SEARS BECAUSE IT IS DARK IN THEIR SERVICE AREA. THE BUBBLE IS HARD TO SEE EVEN IN SUNLIGHT. A FEW DAYS (NOVEMBER 26 2006) LATER I NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE A SEPARATION OF THE BELT WITHIN THE TIRE. I SHOWED MY FRIEND. HE AGREED AND TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO SEARS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SEARS ON DECEMBER 6 2006. THE AUTO CENTER SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY A POT HOLE. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING. HE WAS ADAMANT ABOUT HIS POSITION. HE GAVE ME A NUMBER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED THAT SAME MANAGER AND WHEN CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED ME THEY HAD AGREED WITH THE MANAGER AND SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRE AND LEFT A MESSAGE, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED ME, I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVE. HE CALLED THE AUTO SERVICE MANAGER AND HE (REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TIRE MANUFACTURER) ALSO AGREED WITH THE MANAGER. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, " THE TIRE IS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY AND MY PROBLEM IS BETWEEN YOU AND SEARS". I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR COMPLAINTS OR PROBLEMS WITH THIS TYPE OF TIRES. I READ OVER 484 REVIEWS ON THIS TIRES AND I FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR OR THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME TIRE. I WOULD LIKE FOR A TIRE EXPERT TO LOOK AT MY TIRE. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES AND THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES. *JB
POWER STEERING FAILED.
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
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, ON SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER, ONCE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, CONSUMERS DAUGHTER SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE GASOLINE THAT HAD SPILLED FROM THE CAR. (COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED BY SHARON HARRIS DAUGHTER OF SANDRA HARRIS). *YD
TRANSMISSION OIL TUBE CLOGGED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WATER PUMP AND CAMSHAFT PULLEY. YH
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE LIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY TWO MINUTES AFTER THE FAILURES. THE FAILURES ONLY OCCURRED IN THE WINTER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE (PART NUMBER 16214848) AND THE BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V224000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHOCKS ARE WEAK AND VEHICLE WILL BOTTOM OUT ON NORMAL ROAD DIPS WITH SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH.
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 .