Cadillac Eldorado Reliability
696 NHTSA complaints (1981–2002). Complaint rate: 1526.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1993–1998 Cadillac Eldorado. The 2002 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Cadillac Eldorado Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 42 | 4.8% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 34 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 31 | 16.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 | 0.0% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 22 | 77.3% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 21 | 9.5% |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 19 | 5.3% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 17 | 0.0% |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL | 15 | 0.0% |
| STEERING | 14 | 7.1% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1983GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1984GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1985GOOD | — | 12 | 2 | — | View → |
| 1986 | — | 18 | 0 | 2 | View → |
| 1987GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1988GOOD | — | 11 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1989GOOD | — | 11 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1990 | — | 40 | 5 | 1 | View → |
| 1991GOOD | — | 16 | 2 | 3 | View → |
| 1992 | — | 36 | 4 | — | View → |
| 1993AVOID | — | 53 | 4 | 1 | View → |
| 1994AVOID | — | 49 | 1 | 3 | View → |
| 1995AVOID | — | 79 | 2 | 9 | View → |
| 1996AVOID | — | 90 | 2 | 6 | View → |
| 1997AVOID | — | 85 | 6 | 5 | View → |
| 1998AVOID | — | 67 | 3 | — | View → |
| 1999 | — | 29 | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 2000 | — | 34 | 3 | — | View → |
| 2001 | — | 27 | 0 | — | View → |
| 2002GOOD | — | 12 | 2 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Cadillac Eldoradoaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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