2000 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 2000 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
- Engine1545.5%
- Electrical412.1%
- Steering412.1%
- Brakes39.1%
- Visibility26.1%
- Driver assistance13.0%
- Interior & seats13.0%
- Body & structure13.0%
- Suspension13.0%
- Airbags13.0%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEAR NHTSA, CADILLAC GM SHIPPED THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE WITH A KNOWN HEAD GASKET ISSUE INVOLVING THE THREADING AND THE SHORTNESS OF THE HEADBOLTS, WHEN THE THE COOLANT FLOWS THROUGH THE ENGINE, THE HEAT OF THE COOLANT GOING THRU THE HEAD GASKETS RIPS AND SHREDS THE HEADBOLTS CAUSING A FAILING HEAD GASKET, WHEN THE THREADING ON THE HEADBOLTS STARTS TO SHRED APART FROM HEAT, THE HEAD GASKET CANNOT HOLD CAUSING OVERHEATING CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW, GM KNOWINGLY SHIPPED ALL NORTHSTAR ENGINES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND STILL HAS NOT RECALLED IT, THE MODELS AFFECTED BY THIS AWFUL PROBLEM 1992-2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS/SLS 1992-2002 CADILLAC ELDERADO ESC/ETC 1992-2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE . THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED THESE VEHICLES TO BE SENT TO THE GRAVE AND HAS COSTED MANY CADILLAC OWNERS INCLUDING MYSELF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS, THESE CARS WOULD LEAVE THE LOT WITH THAT ISSUE AND BLOW THERE HEADS WITHIN 40,000 MILES, GM PURPOSELY MANUFACTURED THESE CARS LIKE THAT BECAUSE THE COST TO REPAIR IS ALMOST 5,000 DOLLARS, THEY MANUFACTURED MULTIPLE MODELS WITH THIS ISSUE, HOW HAVE YOU NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES! FIX THIS! HOW COULD THEY DO THIS TO US? THEY RIPPED US OFF 10 YEARS AND DIDN'T MANUFACTURE A FIX UNTIL 2005,
ENGINE TURNS OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE GOING UNDER 40 MILES. HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT WILL START RIGHT UP AGAIN. USUALLY ON CITY STREETS, IN MOTION. WE THINK MOST OF THE TIME AFTER TURNING.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH THE ENGINE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE I-35W BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN MINNEAPOLIS. I MANAGED TO COAST SAFELY TO A STOP ON AN EXIT RAMP ABOUT 200 FT FROM BOBBY AND STEVE'S AUTO WORLD. THEY SPENT FOUR HOURS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY FOUND THE ECS FUSE HAD BLOWN BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED ITS FAILURE EVEN AFTER FOUR HOURS OF WORKING ON THE CAR. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE AND EVERYTHING BEGAN WORKING PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT RECURRED AS OF THIS DATE. I BOUGHT A PACKAGE OF FIVE10 AMP REPLACEMENT FUSES AND PUT THEM IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT ECS FUSE SUPPLIES THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, THE AGR VALVE, THE EVAPORATOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE, THE IGNITION ONE RELAY, THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, AND THE TRANS AXLE. *TR
2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO ENGINE FAILURE AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER'S LACK OF RESPONSE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE A/C AND THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW HAD BECOME INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER HEARD A METAL ON METAL CRUNCHING NOISE. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW SEVERAL PIECES OF METAL SCATTERED ON THE ROAD. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED BECAUSE ONE OF THE CONNECTING RODS EXPERIENCED AN INTERNAL FAILURE AND CRASHED THROUGH THE BACK OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO AND HAD DIED AGAIN. *SC
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC EL DORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CRASH HOWEVER, THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONFIRM THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE CRASH BECAUSE SHE SUFFERED SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS AS A RESULT OF STRIKING HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE AN INVOICE. THE ATTEMPTS HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE YELLOW SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. PAM
I PURCHASED THE USED AFTER IT HAD 38000 MILES. AFTER PURCHASE I FOUND I HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE COMPLAINTS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT RIGHT CALIPER. REPLACED THE ROTORS WITH TWO NEW ONES AND INSTALED NEW PADS. RESEARCHING THE BRAKE PROBLEMS I DISCOVERED THE CAR HAD BRKE PAD REPLACENT 2 PREVIOUS STARING AT 9400 MILES AND HAD THE ROTORS MACHINED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE. ADDITIONALLY I WAS TOLD THE LEFT CALIPER HAD BEEN REPLACED ALSO ALTHOUGH I HAVE NO RECORD. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO "CHATTER" UPON BRAKING. I DON'T BELIEVE HAVING BRAKE WORK DONE 4 TIMES WITHIN 51000 TIMES IS NORMAL. THEREFORE I'M REPORTING AS A DEFECT DESPITE THE DEALERS PROTESTATIONS THAT EVERYTHING I NORMAL. DT
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON HIS RIGHT FOOT AND NOTICED THAT AN UNKNOWN HOT LIQUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND, IN THE PROCESS, SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *TR
FROM THE DAY THE CAR WAS DELIVERED, THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IT APPEARED TO BE DIRTY OR ???? COULD NOT GET A CLEAR VISION. FINALLY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AREA OF APPROXIMATELY ONE SQUARE FOOT JUST TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER AND ABOUT MID-POINT VERTICALLY THAT HAD A WAVINESS, LOOKED LIKE ORANGE PEEL EFFECT IN A PAINTED SURFACE. CADILLAC SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY CERTAIN CAR WASH CHEMICALS, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO SUCH WARNING IN THE OPERATORS MANUAL. THE DISTORTION WAS SO BAD THAT ON TRIPS OF FIFTY MILES OR LONGER HEADACHES WERE CAUSED BY THE EFFECT ON EYES. AFTER ABOUT TEN MONTHS OF COMPLAINING AND FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL, CADILLAC AGREED TO REPLACE. KACHINA DID SO IN OCTOBER 2001.*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
VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*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
CPSC:SEATS IN 2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO SUDDENLY DETERIORATED AND WIRING INSIDE CUSHIONS SEAMS EXPOSED AS BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FELT ELECTRICAL PULSATING SENSATIONS FROM BACK AND BACK OF THIGHS CLOSE TO THE BACKS OF NEAR LEFT KNEE FOR DRIVER AND RIGHT KNEE FOR PASSENGER. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH CHAIRS SEEM TO BE ELEVATED TOWARDS THE BOTTOM, NEAR THE BACK END SEAMS, AND SLANTS DOWNWARD FROM THE BACK OF KNEES TO WHERE THE BOTTOM AND TOP CONNECT. THIS CAUSED SEVERE PAINFUL SPASMS TO LOWER BACK AREA AND LEFT SIDE LEG PAIN.*JS
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
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR DRIVEN THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUMES. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED 3 TO 4 TIMES AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE ALREADY HAD A HEALTH CONDITION BUT DUE TO THE FUMES, SHE WOULD EXPERIENCE AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE SULFUR AND SULFA BASED PRODUCTS. (HEADACHES, NAUSEA, AND VOMITING) *SCC *JB
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SWAY LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAT TREATMENT FOR THE REAR KNUCKLE BUSHINGS CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF OCTOBER 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,600.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE YELLOW SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. PAM
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 .