RoadVitals

1995 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.
18
Latest Apr 29, 2004
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 Dec 10, 1996
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.
1
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 26 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

  • Suspension315.8%
  • Brakes210.5%
  • Electrical210.5%
  • Transmission210.5%
  • Other / unspecified210.5%
  • Seat belts15.3%
  • Steering15.3%
  • Airbags15.3%

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

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Dec 10, 1996
21,582 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Jan 30, 1996
102,403 units potentially affected
The defect: DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
The risk: THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN LOOSEN, FATIGUE, AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Jan 30, 1996
308 units potentially affected
The defect: DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
The risk: IF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT LOOSENS, FATIGUES AND SEPARATES FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED FROM THE KNUCKLE, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA96007ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened May 31, 1996
Closed Dec 24, 1996

GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT THEY ARE CONDUCTING A RECALL TO RETORQUE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF 1995.IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MOST VEHICLES WILL REQUIRE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS TO BE RETORQUED TO 135 N.M(100 LB. FT.).CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD ALL FOUR OF THEIR TIRES AND WHEELS ROTATED SHOULD HAVE PROPERLY TORQUED LUG NUTS.HOWEVER, GM IS OFFERING CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR TIRES AND WHEELS ROTATED THE OPTION OF RETURNING TO THEIR DEALER FOR THIS REPAIR OR COMPLETING AND RETURNING AN OWNER REPLY CARD INCLUDED WITH THEIR RECALL NOTICE.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Apr 29, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL BACK IN 1999, IT DEALT WITH HAVING THE BALL JOINTS AND KNUCKLES REPLACED. HE STATED THAT AT THAT TIME, HIS DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH HIS VEHICLE AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK. NOW 20,000 MILES LATER, HE FINDS THAT THE NUT HAS CHEWED THE COTTER KEY OFF AND IN HALF. HE STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED IT TO THEM, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE TO REPAIR IT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, BECAUSE HE IS TRAVELING UP AND DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND HIS WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF. HE STATED THAT THE DEALERS NAME IS VAN TROW OLDS AND CADILLAC DEALER, IT IS LOCATED AT 2015 LOUISVILLE AVENUE MONROE, LA 318 387 2021. HE STATES ALL HE WANTS IS HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED, WHERE THEY DID NOT REPAIR IT BEFORE. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD THE FAULTY NUT IN THE BALL JOINTS REPAIRED BY A DIFFERENT DEALER PRIOR TO MEETING WITH THE VAN-TROW DEALERSHIP. *LA *JB

NHTSA ID
10065579
Incident
Apr 5, 2004
Mileage
34,000 mi
Filed Jul 22, 2002

DURING THE DAY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS VERY HARD TO SEE. LIGHT STARTS OUT BEING BRIGHT AND SLOWLY GOES DIM. INSTRUMENT PANEL AT NIGHT DOESN'T AFFECT THE DRIVER. CADILLAC WAS CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT SOMETIMES SHE'S NOT ABLE TO SEE HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8014401
Steering
Filed Apr 10, 2002

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DEALERSHIP CONSUMER LOST ALL CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO STEP ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
8007257
Incident
Apr 9, 2002
Suspension
Filed Nov 1, 2001

VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE DROPPED. LOWER BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TAPERED PART OF THE THE BALL JOINT WAS NEVER PULLED TIGHT IN THE TAPER IN THE SPINDLE, THE TAPER IN THE SPINDLE IS EGG SHAPED AND HOLLOW FROM MOVING AROUND. *SLC

NHTSA ID
898638
Incident
Oct 25, 2001
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 12, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT 68 MPH ON ROUTE 35E 40 MILES SOUTH OF DALLAS, TEXAS, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR. ALL FIVE OF THE LUG STUDS SHEARED OF AT THE FACE OF THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY. THE TIRE WEDGED AGAINST THE LOWEST REAR PART OF THE FENDER WELL WHICH RESULTED IN A CLEAN CUT THROUGH THE TIRE SIDEWALL. I WAS TRAVELLING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE TRAVELED ABOUT 350 YARDS ACROSS THE RIGHT HAND DRAINAGE AREA AND STOPPED IN A CULTIVATED FIELD ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM WHERE I STOPPED THE CAR. THE TIRE HAD BEEN PUT ON THE CAR ABOUT THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND HAD BEEN TORQUED TO THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS OF 100 FT/LBS. THE ROTOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH THE SHIELD THAT IS INSTALLED BEHIND THE ROTOR. THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL (FENDER) WILL REQUIRE EXTENSIVE WORK OR REPLACEMENT. CADILLAC HAS SAID THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE OVERTORQUED AT SOME POINT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE STUDS FAILED BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED IN MANUFACTURE. I FEEL THAT FAILURES OF THIS TYPE ARE SERIOUS BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL TURNOVERS AND DAMAGE THAT MAY RESULT TO OTHER VEHICLES BY THE LOOSE WHEEL.*AK

NHTSA ID
750277
Incident
Aug 4, 2001
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jun 21, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 15 MONTHS AGO LEFT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON JUNE 18,2001, FRONT LEFT WHEEL FEEL OFF VEHICLE WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE IT FELL ON THE GROUND. CONTACT DEALER. DEALER STATED IT JUST HAPPENED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO MENTIONS RECALLS 96V019 AND 96V018, POSSIBLY RELATING TO PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE RECALL 96V245 REGARDING LUGS, NUTS, AND BOLTS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
890940
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
ElectricalTransmission
Filed May 7, 2001
Fire reported

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AND WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. * NOTE: CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS EVENT OCCURRED AFTER FIRST TIME HE USED TRACTION BUTTON IN VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
887618
Incident
Mar 1, 1998
Brakes
Filed Oct 11, 2000

WHILE TRAVELLING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AT 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CAR HAD TO BE TURNED INTO A GAS STATION AND HAD THE ENGINE CUTOFF TO HALT THE VEHICLE AS IT HIT A CURB 40 YARDS FROM THE STREET. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MC WAS REPLACED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC.*AK

NHTSA ID
734070
Incident
Jul 10, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

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

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 Fleetwood by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998400
1996172152.5
1995Viewing185156.6
1994165061.0
1993323055.4
1992821
1991143257.7
1990212158.3
1989152040.3
1988332
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.