1998 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 1998 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
- Fuel system917.0%
- Engine917.0%
- Other / unspecified59.4%
- Suspension47.5%
- Steering47.5%
- Brakes47.5%
- Electrical35.7%
- Interior & seats35.7%
- Visibility23.8%
- Body & structure23.8%
- Heating & air conditioning23.8%
- Seat belts11.9%
- Exterior lighting11.9%
- Driver assistance11.9%
- Tires & wheels11.9%
- Transmission11.9%
- Airbags11.9%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
STRONG GASOLINE FUMES NOTED WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
STRONG GASOLINE FUMES NOTED WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT
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
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER DID NOT PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR WAS REWIRED. THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKS. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE EBTCM. *NLM *SCC *NLM
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
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER DID NOT PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR WAS REWIRED. THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKS. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE EBTCM. *NLM *SCC *NLM
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND THAT IT DIVES UP AND DOWN, THE VEHICLE CAN BE QUITE UNSTABLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH, CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS, THIS IS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM.
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
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
WHEN MAKING A TURN THERE IS A SCRUBBING NOISE HEARD IN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES AIR CONDITION WILL NOT BLOW OUT DASH VENTS, COMES OUT AT THE BOTTOM AND IN BACK, ALSO CONSUMER STATES THERE IS ENGINE NOISE. *JB
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 BRAKES SUDDENLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-95 THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETLY TO THE FLOOR AND PROVIDED NO BRAKING CAPABILITY. BRAKE FLUID WAS RELEASED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE WAS RELEASED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO GET THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. BOTH BRAKE LINES HAD REPTURED (FRONT AND REAR). PARTS WERE $130 AND LABOR WAS $497. CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR ANY OF THE COSTS FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE OUT OR WARRANTY PERIOD. *AK
THE BRAKE ROTORS WORE OUT PREMATURELY, CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS HAD EITHER BEEN REPLACED OR GROUNDED DOWN FIVE TIMES. *AK *JB
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
THE HEADLAMPS QUIT WORKING. IT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THEY KEEP REPLACING RELAYS BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE VERY FAR AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF NO HEADLAMPS. *NLM
BATTERY FAILED. *YC
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
HOLE IN LOWER SIDE OF LEFT SEAT. YH
VEHICLES COMPUTER FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF RADIO FUNCTION AND EXTERIOR MIRROR MOVEMENT. NLM
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
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED GLARE IN REAR WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED.
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
RUBBER AROUND LEFT DOOR LOOSE. MGM
KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED.
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
WHEN MAKING A TURN THERE IS A SCRUBBING NOISE HEARD IN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES AIR CONDITION WILL NOT BLOW OUT DASH VENTS, COMES OUT AT THE BOTTOM AND IN BACK, ALSO CONSUMER STATES THERE IS ENGINE NOISE. *JB
RUBBER AROUND LEFT DOOR LOOSE. MGM
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
CONSUMER STATES WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO JERK ON THE BELT VERY HARD WHILE DRIVING TO GET IT TO RELEASE SO IT CAN BE ATTACHED. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE UNIT, FORCING CONSUMER TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE SEAT BELT. *TT
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
POWER STEERING FAILED. YH
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
GAS PEDAL STICKS CAUSING CAR TO LEAP FORWARD, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *SLC
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
PE 00 040/ TREAD SEPARATION: LEFT REAR OUTER TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE STILL INFLATED AND DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P225/75R16, DOT# 2599IUR8099. FIRESTONE WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME, AND TIRE WAS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK *SLC
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
THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL LOCKED. *NLM
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
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED CONTINUED ENGINE FAILURE (SHUT DOWN)ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO ENGINE SHUT DOWN (BRAKE,STEERING LOSS),VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG RESULTED IN INJURIES. YH
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 .