1990 Cadillac Allante: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (80% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Power assist brake failure. Brakes are operating at 10 per cent by pumping to a gradual stop. Down-shifting and panic pumping avoided a crash. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2010
“While attempting to apply the brakes they failed completely, took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic stated master cylinder was leaking internally which caused total brake failure. *ak *ph”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2003
“While drving, anti lock brake system failed. Power went out, and had to apply brakes manually to stop vehicle. *ak consumer states unable to get parts to repair. *tt”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“I recieved an antilock disabled message and within 1 mile the brakes totally failed. The car still had good brake pedal, but no brakes at all. The emergency brakes failed as well. Fortunately, it was 3:30 am and no traffic. I was able to swing into an empty parking lot and circle until the car came to a stop. Upon talking to several other allante owners, I found out that this is a frequent occurance with these cars. Does someone have to be killed before cadillac does something about this potientially fatal flaw?*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2001
“ABS/master cyl inder failure. Car has a hard brake pedal and will not stop as it should. Replacement part from cadillac has a list price of $3,066.00 plus about $500.00 in labor. Gm knows this is a problem with 87-93 allantes and should be made to recall them and repair them at no charge. They should also reinburst all comsumers who have already paid for this repair. This is typical gm not addressing the problem. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2001
“After failure and near accident, cadillac corporation said they had an inexpensive way to remedy problem. They installed a booster to add pressure to the pedal. Cost was $700. This did not work. Another failure driving home which almost caused another accident. Now told must replace the pump which I did. Cost $3,382. I asked for the old part. Said they would have to chare me another $500 core charge. I understand this bosh brake system was the same brake system recalled on chrysler vehicles. Although many more chryslers were sold then cadillac allante's this is a serious problem that can cause a major accident and loss of life. I am told this is a major failure in allantes'*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2001
“ABS brakes did not operate properly. Could not stop vehicle. Put transmission in neutral and pumped the parking brake.this was a life threatening episode. *ak .”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2000
“Odi action number: ea99-017 I got a message on my message center that my allante's ABS system was disabled so I took it into my dealer. On the way the brakes went totally out, almost causing at least one accident. Now I am finding out from other owners of cadillac allantes that this is how the found out about a model wide problem. Your brakes go out is how you find you have a problem with your brakes. I had driven fewer than ten miles after receiving the warning. And the warning was not brake failure, but just ABS which I have never really used. Cadillac made very few of these models, but the problem is rampant in all of them up to 1993. Are you doing anything about this? *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2000
“I cannot apply brakes without losing the antilock system. I retain some braking, but it is the manual braking and not the ABS. This failure started around 60000 miles in 1998 and I've been extremely cautious in driving this vehicle knowing that I won't have ABS. I'm a meber of the allante appreciation group and have read approx (40) failures of same from other allante owners. Please feel free to contact our website and you'll always find some member complaining of a failure of the ABS. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2000
“Driving at 45 mph, a warning light appeared on the dash and I experienced, sudden and complete brake failure, used emergency brake and transmission to stop.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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).
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Allante by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Cadillac Allante reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1990 Cadillac Allante. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (80% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Cadillac Allante problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,500 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Cadillac Allante have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.