Carlexica

1990 Cadillac Eldorado: problems, recalls and reliability

4 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.

Data updated weekly · latest recall May 1995

4
recalls
25
owner complaints
1
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Among the quietest Eldorado years (#9 of 9 by complaints, age-adjusted)1 fire report

Common problems

Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 25 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)7 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)5 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)3 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)2 complaints
Interior Lighting1 complaint
While driving consumer smelled gas fumes inside the vehicle. Then, vehicle stalled. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *akOwner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2004
Vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly acceelerated. Brake pedal did not engage to stop or slow vehicle. Dealer wiill be notified. *akOwner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 1999
Was driving about 40mph when another vehicle ran red light. Eldorado broadsided the other vehicle. Upon impact, air bag did not deploy. Vehicle declared total loss by insurance company. 1 injury sustained, emergency room treatment. *akOwner report · Air Bags · Mar 1998
Show 7 more owner reports
ABS failed with no warning with hard pedal. This occured intermittently after first incident. Tt consumer states ABS failed intermittently in august of 1995 and completely failed in october of 1995. *slcOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 1995
Without any indication headlights/dash board indication lights would cut off and vehicle was unable to start. Dealer stated anti- theft was locked up. Please provide further information.*akOwner report · Interior Lighting
While using air conditioner without any indication air would stop blowing . Dealer replaced air conditioner 3 times. Please provide further information.*akOwner report · Equipment
While depressing brakes vehicle would go into extended stopping distance. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.*akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
While driving, experienced hydralic brake failure, when made attempt to slow/stop, ABS and hydralic light appeared, then pedal went to the floor. *akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
While driving, experienced hydralic brake failure, when made attempt to slow/stop, ABS and hydralic light appeared, then pedal went to floor. *akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Car was idling in my yard for about 10 minutes and all of a sudden there was a fire in the engine compartment, which filled the interrior of the car with smoke. After raising the hood (the fire was out) the air filter box and assembly to the intake were melted, as were the windshield washer bottle and the wiring harness directly below these items. I am wondering what caused this fire. I'm glad I wasn't driving down the road when this happened, it could have been fatal.*akOwner report · Electrical System

When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 4 campaigns

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT90V164000 · Sep 1990

TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FROM THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL WITH LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.

Remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO PREVENT CABLE DISENGAGEMENT.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL90E043004 · Oct 1990

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING95V110000 · May 1995

THE FRONT OUTER SHOULDER BELT WEB SEW STOP CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. THE BELT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR AND SOME OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FASTEN THE BELT.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR90V028000 · Feb 1990

MISALIGNED REAR SEAT SAFETY BELT SHOULDER RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES COULD CAUSE PENDULUM INTERFERENCE, CAUSING THE BELT TO REMAIN IN LOCKED POSITION OR TO TRAVEL FREELY WITHOUT LOCKING.

Remedy: REALIGN REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Body stylesCoupe

How other years compare

Check your exact Eldorado by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1990 Cadillac Eldorado reliable?

NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Cadillac Eldorado. The most complained-about area is electrical system.

Does the 1990 Cadillac Eldorado have open recalls?

4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. 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.