RoadVitals

1998 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.
38
Latest Aug 9, 2018
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.
1
Latest Oct 27, 1997
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.
0
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
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 70 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

  • Fuel system917.0%
  • Engine917.0%
  • Other / unspecified59.4%
  • Suspension47.5%
  • Steering47.5%
  • Brakes47.5%
  • Electrical35.7%
  • Interior & seats35.7%

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

1 campaign 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
97V183000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 27, 1997
8,611 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSES AND LIMOUSINES. THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES WAS MISROUTED.
The risk: THE HARNESS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE LINKAGE PREVENTING RETURN TO A CLOSED THROTTLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE HARNESS, CORRECT AS NECESSARY, AND INSTALL A PLASTIC TIE STRAP TO THE HARNESS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 38
Fuel system
Filed Aug 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-450-4863293. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11118688
Incident
Aug 8, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2015

STRONG GASOLINE FUMES NOTED WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT

NHTSA ID
10783219
Incident
Oct 16, 2015
Fuel system
Filed Aug 19, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM ONE OF THE FUEL LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,500.

NHTSA ID
10420102
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
149,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. SHE ALSO SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FUEL RAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000. UPDATED 08/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/17/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10276811
Incident
Jul 9, 2009
Mileage
92,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 23, 2008

TWO TIRES CONTINUE TO LOSE AIR. I FINALLY WENT TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT THE RIM WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE RIM FROM OXIDATION. THE CHROME WAS PEELING OFF OF 2 OF THE RIMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249603
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 16, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO HE COULD SMELL GAS, SO HE TOOK IT TO PEP BOYS. AT PEP BOYS THEY STATED THAT THE PLASTIC PART OF THE FUEL RAIL HAD SEVERAL PINHOLES IN IT AND WAS SPRAYING A MIST OF FUEL ONTO THE NUMBER EIGHT SPARK PLUG. THE PLASTIC TUBING HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94000. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE REPAIR IF NEEDED. *NM UPDATED 2/16/2007 - THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A RECALL RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178786
Incident
Nov 9, 2006
Mileage
94,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 9, 2004

STARTING WITH DIC MESSAGE OF "LOW COOLANT", I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. AFTER THE CADILLAC DEALER IN DURANGO COLORADO WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM ( REPLACED HOSES, WATER PUMP), MY MECHANIC (IN ALBUQUERQUE)FOUND A CRACKED HEAD THAT WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTERNALY. FIXED THE HEAD, BUT NOW THE HEAD BOLT HOLES STRIPPED. USED OVERSIZED HELICOILS , BUT BLOCK MATERIAL STILL TO SOFT AND CANNOT TORQUE DOWN THE HEAD BOLTS WITHOUT PULLING HELICOILS. ALUMINUM METAL GOT TO SOFT AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS ENGIN ONLY HAS 82K+ MILES AND SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS. ALUMINIUM FOR BLOCK/HEAD MATERIA IS STUPIDITY. WEIGHT SAVINGS CANNOT BE THAT MUCH TO HAVE SHORTER LIFE OF AN ENGINE.L *AK

NHTSA ID
10075059
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
82,480 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID
10055883
Mileage
50,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

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.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

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.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

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
1998Viewing381037.6
1997592258.7
1996602356.6
1995542463.5
1994352253.3
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.