RoadVitals

1988 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.
3
Latest May 19, 1999
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.
3
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.
2
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Driver assistance250.0%
  • Brakes125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%

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

3 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 19, 1999

THROTTLE PLATE STUCK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR. PIECES OF A.I.R. PUMP VANES FOUND STUCK IN THROTTLE PLATE. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY A DEADLY SITUATION HAD THERE BEEN MORE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO STOP THE CAR. THIS OF COURSE KILLED ALL POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKING. THE A.I.R. PUMP AND A.I.R. SWITCHING VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED DEBRI CLEANED OUT OF ALL HOSES. *AK

NHTSA ID
706664
Incident
Feb 23, 1999
Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 1997

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM LEAKS DUE TO THE CAST ALUMINUM PUMP HOUSING BEING POROUS OR DEFECTIVE, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
526980
Incident
Dec 9, 1997
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 1, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported

AUTO-TRAN: GAS PEDAL STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AS DRIVER STARTED CAR, SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE; VEHICLE LURCH FORWARD; HIT TREE, TOTALED VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
971450
Incident
Aug 21, 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
1988Viewing332
1987742
1986754
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.