Skip to content
VINDecoder360
Menu

NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2002

Cadillac Eldorado recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 170 owner complaints for the Cadillac Eldorado, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The 1996 and 1997 model years drew the most complaints (31 each), and Fuel System, Gasoline is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Cadillac Eldorado VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 170 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 8 model years with data (1995–2002)
  • most complaints: 1996, 1997 (31 for that model year)
  • top component: Fuel System, Gasoline (41 complaints)
  • latest recall 04V110000 (reported Mar 4, 2004)
  • 8 complaints reporting a crash (4.7%)
  • 15 complaints reporting a fire (8.8%)
  • 9 complaints reporting an injury (5.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Cadillac Eldorado complaints by model year

8 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1996 and 1997 model years share the highest count, 31 complaints each. Next come 1995 (29) and 2000 (23). The fewest are for 2002, with 10 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Cadillac Eldorado owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2002Column chart of 170 complaints across 8 model years. The highest are 1996, 1997 with 31 each. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 29 complaints2919951996: 31 complaints3119961997: 31 complaints3119971998: 16 complaints1619981999: 12 complaints1219992000: 23 complaints2320002001: 18 complaints1820012002: 10 complaints102002
Cadillac Eldorado complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Cadillac Eldorado complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995290910
1996310100
1997313430
1998161000
1999120100
2000232040
2001180000
2002102010
All model years17081590

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Cadillac Eldorado components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Fuel System, Gasoline is the component named most often, in 41 complaints (24.1% of all 170), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (32) and Electrical System (26).

Components named most often in Cadillac Eldorado complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Cadillac Eldorado complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline4124.1%
Engine and Engine Cooling3218.8%
Electrical System2615.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2212.9%
Engine105.9%
Air Bags74.1%
Steering63.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System52.9%
Structure52.9%
Tires52.9%
Vehicle Speed Control52.9%
Equipment42.4%
Power Train42.4%
Unknown or Other42.4%
Wheels31.8%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Cadillac Eldorado recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Eldorado, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2000. The 1995, 1996 and 1997 model years appear in the most campaigns (2 each).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Cadillac Eldorado recall campaigns covering each model year
1995: 2 campaigns1996: 2 campaigns1997: 2 campaigns1998: 1 campaign1999: no campaigns2000: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 04V110000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model years 1995–1997

    Some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L V8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction may degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that may crack. Cracking of the fuel rail or return line tubing can result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine fuel rail with a new stainless steel fuel rail. Dealers will also install a revised chassis fuel return line. The recall began on June 2, 2004, for 1996-1997 oldsmobile aurora vehicles. Owners of 1995 cadillacs and 1996-1997 oldsmobile aurora were sent letters on August 6, 2004. Additional letters to owners will be forthcoming. Owners should contact oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 99V301000

    Reported

    Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The inner tie rod nuts are loose and can result in separation of a tie rod.

    Consequence:
    Separation of a tie rod can cause unexpected steering input increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will check and adjust the vehicle toe-in and tighten the inner tie rod nuts to the specified torque.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 98V115000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 1995

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags can occur due to water intrusion.

    Consequence:
    Deployment of the air bag without warning could cause a driver to lose vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash and personal injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will clean the exterior case of the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) and appply a potting compound to the SDM case and electrical connector body.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 97V183000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, hearses and limousines. The canister purge evaporative emissions harness on these vehicles was misrouted.

    Consequence:
    The harness could interfere with the cruise control and throttle linkage preventing return to a closed throttle.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper routing of the harness, correct as necessary, and install a plastic tie strap to the harness.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 97V064000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

    Model year 1997

    The electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module can cause the antilock brake system (ABS) to cycle during a non-ABS brake application.

    Consequence:
    This condition can result in an increase in vehicle stopping distance increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 95V224000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical

    Model year 1996

    The analog instrument panel cluster on these vehicles could have an internal short circuit disrupting the pass key system, causing failure of the instrument panel gauges and tell-tales, and a possible no-start condition. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 101, "controls and displays;" No. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment;" and No. 208, "occupant crash protection."

    Consequence:
    Consequence of non-compliance: if the short circuit occurs while driving, the instrument panel cluster will go blank, causing loss of gauge function and all teel-tale indicators except for ABS, SIR, park brake and service engine soon. The loss of all tell-tales for seat belts, turn signals, high beam, hazard, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and others result in noncompliance with these safety standards.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the instrument panel cluster.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Cadillac Eldorado questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Cadillac Eldorado have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Cadillac Eldorado, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The most recent, 04V110000, was reported on March 4, 2004 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 1995, 1996 and 1997 model years are covered by the most campaigns (2 each).

Which Cadillac Eldorado model year has the most complaints?

The 1996 and 1997 model years tie, with 31 complaints each out of 170. The next are 1995 (29) and 2000 (23). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Cadillac Eldorado complaint?

Fuel System, Gasoline is the component named most often: 41 complaints, or 24.1% of all 170. Engine and Engine Cooling (32) and Electrical System (26) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Cadillac Eldorado?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Cadillac dealer.

How many Cadillac Eldorado complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 170 complaints, 8 report a crash, 15 a fire, 9 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Cadillac models

8 models · most complaints first

The Cadillac models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Cadillac VIN decoder with every Cadillac model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Cadillac models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.