1996 Cadillac Fleetwood: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern vehicle speed control.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car had a flat tire on the highway - left rear. Had jacked it up, and changed tire. Was letting jack down when it collapsed. Scissors type jack. One of the captive nuts that the main bolt runs through to raise the jack assembly failed, dropping the car unexpectedly. Luckily, the tire had been changed, and no one was hurt when the car dropped. I have had a similar failure on my 1993 cadillac fleetwood, and wonder if this is not common to all of the gm cars using this jack.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2017
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2009
“Steering wheel locked up. Consumer down shifted, and was able to pull off the road. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealership.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2004
Show 6 more owner reports
“The steering wheel locked up while it was being turned. This was an intermittent problem. The dealership could not duplicate the problem. *nlm”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2003
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2000
“While driving the vehicle applied the brakes, and the brakes locked up. This is a ongoing problem. Dealer maintains there is nothing wrong. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 1997
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 1996
“When braking in low speeds in damp/wet ground, vehicle skids with ABS braking system and traction control turns on when making turns. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“Air bag worked as intended but consumer concerned about the contents of the airbag which made it hard to breath after accident.”Owner report · Air Bags
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
How other years compare
Check your exact Fleetwood 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 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control.
Does the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint. 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.