1996 Cadillac Fleetwood 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 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood, 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
- Brakes413.8%
- Steering310.3%
- Driver assistance26.9%
- Visibility26.9%
- Body & structure26.9%
- Interior & seats26.9%
- Seat belts26.9%
- Transmission26.9%
- Airbags26.9%
- Engine26.9%
- Fuel system26.9%
- Electrical13.4%
- Exterior lighting13.4%
- Suspension13.4%
- Heating & air conditioning13.4%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
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
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.*AK
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE IT WAS BEING TURNED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,000.
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE JUST STALLED. WHEN PRESSING DOWN A LITTLE HARDER VEHICLE TOOK OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 OR 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM YET. *AK *ML
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
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
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
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
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
CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS HARD TO READ DURING DAYLIGHT.
TRUNK LATCH INOPERATIVE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS DURING COLLISION/SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER AND PASSENGER PROPERLY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN BRAKING IN LOW SPEEDS IN DAMP/WET GROUND, VEHICLE SKIDS WITH ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL TURNING ON WHEN MAKING TURNS. *AK
TRANSMISSION POUNDS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *DH
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
AIR BAG WORKED AS INTENDED BUT CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THE AIRBAG WHICH MADE IT HARD TO BREATH AFTER ACCIDENT.
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS DURING COLLISION/SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER AND PASSENGER PROPERLY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL PUMP CONTAINED A SHORTAGE, WHICH CAUSED A SPARK. *JB
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
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
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
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 .