RoadVitals

1999 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.
23
Latest Jun 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.
0
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and visibility categories. 71 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

  • Engine829.6%
  • Brakes622.2%
  • Visibility311.1%
  • Electrical27.4%
  • Tires & wheels27.4%
  • Suspension13.7%
  • Exterior lighting13.7%
  • Driver assistance13.7%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2016

MY WIFE PURCHASED A 1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO IN 2009 AND IT ONLY HAD 38K MILES ON IT. NOW IN 2016 IT ONLY HAS 103K MILES ON IT BUT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WILL FREQUENTLY GO FROM 'NORMAL' TO 'ENGINE HOT - A/C OFF'. AFTER SHUTING OFF THE ENGINE, LETTING IT COOL, AND TOPPING OFF THE COOLANT LEVEL, THE WILL OPERATE IN THE 'NORMAL' TEMPERATURE RANGE FOR SEVERAL MILES BUT THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY JUMP UP TO THE 'ENGINE HOT - A/C OFF' RANGE. THE CAR IS NOW AT A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED THAT THIS 1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO HAS FAILING CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS. RECALL - CAMPAIGN #99086 (MARCH 19, 2002) ACKNOWLEDGES THIS DEFECT AND THE REASONS FOR IT. WILL CADILLAC PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM? A 103,000 MILE CADILLAC ELDORADO SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE AND, IF IT DOES, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
10873587
Incident
Jun 7, 2016
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 2014

CADILLAC ELDORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INFORMATION ON VEHICLE ENGINE FAILURES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, IT HASN'T WORKED CORRECTLY SINCE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10615482
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Brakes
Filed Sep 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE BRAKES ENGAGED ON THEIR OWN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE STABILIZER CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE STEERING SENSOR MODULE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SENSOR MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ID
10427546
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Mileage
23,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND THAT THE WATER PUMP AND THE OVER PIPE GASKET WERE LEAKING. THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THE OVER PIPE GASKET AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM FOR THE FAILURE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO GET A SECOND OPINION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,320.

NHTSA ID
10423021
Incident
Aug 2, 2011
Mileage
184,320 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 2005

1999 CADILLAC EL DORADO. AT APPROX 75,000 MILES SUDDEN FAILURE OF REAR BRAKE LINE (BETWEEN TWO REAR WHEELS) DUE TO CORROSION. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. COST TO REPAIR $550. *JB

NHTSA ID
10134884
Incident
Aug 30, 2005
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ON PAGE. 6-31 ON BRAKE WEAR IT STATES THAT BRAKE PADS HAVE BUILT IN INDICATORS THAT WILL MAKE A SOUND WHEN NEW BRAKES ARE NEEDED. THE INDICATORS DO NOT WORK. THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THE BRAKE PADS. ON THE CADILLAC ELDORADO IT IS WEARING DOWN QUICKER ON THE INSIDE THAN ON THE OUTSIDE. THE INSIDE BRAKE PAD WEAR DOWN AND THERE IS METAL TO METAL SOUND. ONLY THE OUTSIDE BRAKES HAVE WARNING INDICATORS. THERE ARE NONE ON THE INSIDE. CONTACT EXPLAINED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. HE THINKS THAT THEY SHOULD LET PEOPLE KNOW NOT TO WAIT UNTIL HEARING THE INDICATOR. BECAUSE IF THE INSIDE BRAKES WEAR OUT CONSUMER WILL NOT HEAR THE INDICATOR SOUND.*AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10128799
Incident
Jun 6, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jan 14, 2005
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOSPITAL AFTER DRIVING 2 MILES. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ENGINE OFF, NO KEYS IN IGNITION, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE TOTALED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10106304
Incident
Jan 11, 2005
Mileage
33,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2004

VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10097800
Incident
Oct 26, 2004

Manufacturer communications

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

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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

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.

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
1999Viewing230035.1
1998381037.6
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.