RoadVitals

1978 Cadillac Fleetwood

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.
1
Latest Mar 9, 1995
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.
2
Latest Aug 30, 1978
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1978 Cadillac Fleetwood, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Body & structure1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns 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
78V189000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Aug 30, 1978
388,867 units potentially affected
The defect: IF PAPER OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS ARE PLACED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ASHTRAY RECEPTACLE, THEY COULD BECOME IGNITED AND FLAMES FROM THE FIRE MAY REACH THE INTERIOR OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
The remedy: OWNER WILL BE SENT A METAL HEAT SHIELD TO BE INSTALLED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, EITHER BY THE OWNER OR BY THE DEALER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
77V162000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Sep 26, 1977
5,146 units potentially affected
The defect: SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS". THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY CRACK AND ALLOW WASHER FLUID TO DRAIN OUT.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE WASHER BOTTLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Mar 9, 1995
1 injury reported

AUTOMATIC LATCH ON TRUCK SUPPORT RELEASED AND FELL DOWN ON PLANTIFFS FINGERS. TT

NHTSA ID
961604
Incident
Mar 8, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Fleetwood by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998400—
1996172152.5
1995185156.6
1994165061.0
1993323055.4
1992821—
1991143257.7
1990212158.3
1989152040.3
1988332—
1987742—
1986754—
1985634—
1984123—
1983123—
1982011—
1981100—
1979010—
1978Viewing120—
1977010—
1972110—
1971010—

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.