RoadVitals

1986 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.
7
Latest Nov 21, 2007
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.
5
Latest May 19, 2006
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.
4
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 NHTSA investigations name it.

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

  • Electrical330.0%
  • Fuel system220.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Other / unspecified110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

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

5 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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

May 9, 1990
544 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
The risk: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
The remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
EMPIRE COACH COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Mar 6, 1990
223 units potentially affected
The defect: SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
The risk: LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
The remedy: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
ROYALE LIMOUSINE MFRS.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE89098ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ANTI LOCK BRAKES

Opened Mar 10, 1989
Closed May 17, 1989

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA88031ClosedEngineering Analysis

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Apr 22, 1988
Closed Oct 23, 1989

STATUS:ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS IN PROGRESS.HOWEVER, NEITHER NHTSA OF GM HAS IDENTIFIED A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THATCOULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.SOME VEHICLES IN THIS GROUP WEREFOUND POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE RESTRICTIONS, AND WERERECALLED ALONG WITH H CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS.INVESTIGATION ISCONTINUING.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA88019ClosedEngineering Analysis

HYDRO BOOST

Opened Jan 28, 1988
Closed Oct 31, 1990

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
PE87038ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HYDROBOOST FAILURE

Opened Jul 9, 1987
Closed Jan 28, 1988

SUBJECT VEHICLES:CAPRICE, CAPRICE CLASSIC, CUSTOM CRUISER, DEVILLE,ELECTRA, ESTATE WAGON, FLEETWOOD, LESABRE, NINETY-EIGHT, PARISIENNE,PARK AVENUE.(ALL 1984-86 GM VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDROBOOST II SYSTEMS)ANALYSIS:CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGE SEVERAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE POWERSTEERING AND POWER BRAKE SYSTEMS OF THESE VEHICLES.THESE PROBLEMSINCLUDE: POWER STEERING FLUID LOSS, POWER BRAKE FLUID LOSS, LEAKAGE FROMTHE HYDRO-BOOST II POWER BRAKE BOOSTER, BROKEN BOOSTER SEALS, AND MASTERCYLINDER FAILURE.ALL PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE HYDRO-BOOST IIPOWER ASSIST SYSTEM, IN WHICH THE WORKING FLUID PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO BOKE BOOSTER.THE EFFECT OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD BE A LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL AND/OR BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.STATUS:THE VOLUMINOUS AMOUNT OF DATA SUPPLIED BY GM IS PRESENTLY BEING CODED BY A CONTRACTOR AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY 12/30/87. GM DATA INDICATED A 50% WEIBULL DISTRIBUTION FAILURE AT 50K MILES FOR THE PISTON PUSH-ROD SEAL. THIS PE LOOKS TO HAVE AN EXTRODINARILY HIGH FREQUENCY, ALTHOUGH THE SEVERITY APEARS TO BE LOW.SHOULD BE INTERESTING DISCUSSING THIS FOR UPGRADE/CLOSURE.===

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Nov 21, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I CHANGE IT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT FEELS LIKE IS STILL ACCELERATING AND WANTS TO GO FASTER. I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS REASON. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHANGING GEAR ANYMORE AND THIS VEHICLE IS AT THE MECHANIC FOR THIS REASON. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM BUT IT WAS FIXED BY MY MECHANIC. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SEAT BELTS DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209653
Incident
May 17, 2005
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 2, 2001

VEHICLE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR WATER LEAK AT WINDSHIELD, AFTER THE WINDSHEILD WAS REMOVED, ADVANCED RUST WAS FOUND IN THE PINCHWELD AREA, PARTICULARLY ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, OWNER ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. CJ

NHTSA ID
559385
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 1999

WHEN THE CAR IS OVER 60MHR IT TURNES OFF, ALSO MOST OF THE TIME IT TURNES OFF WHEN IT IS VEARY HOT OUT SIDE AND WHEN I WANT TO TERN IT ON AGAIN IT GO LIKE ABOUT 30SEC ON THEN IT TURNES OFF AGAIN. SOMETIMES WHEN I LET IT OFF FOR LIKE ABOUT AN HOUR IT TURNS ON AGAIN AND SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN OFF AGIAN.

NHTSA ID
703894
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 18, 1998

LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF, VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STOP BUT SLID OFF ROAD INTO DITCH. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA ID
539052
Incident
Jul 4, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 1998
Fire reported

STEERING COLUMN HAS CAUGHT FIRE TWICE, BLOWER HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. POSSIBLE CAUSE DEFECTIVE COMPUTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
825057
Incident
Apr 3, 1998
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 1996
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDERHOOD NEAR THE FIRE WALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
978743
Incident
May 25, 1995
Fuel system
Filed Feb 23, 1995

COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, NOTICED LEAKAGE. DEALERSHIPS DIAGNOSIS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. TT

NHTSA ID
960491
Incident
Feb 18, 1994

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
1986Viewing754
1985634
1984123
1983123
1982011
1981100
1979010
1978120
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.