1996 CADILLAC Eldorado Problems & Complaints

ON OUR WAY TO A FAMILY FUNERAL BELLS STARTED GOING OFF AND LIGHTS FLASHING. MY HUSBAND HAD PUT IN A NEW ENGINE FROM ONE STOP AUTO DON'T KNOW WHY. WHEN WE CAME BACK FROM VIRGINIA I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO IT. HE BELIEVED THE BRAIN AND THE ENGINE WASN'T COMMUNICATING. MY HUSBAND SUGGESTED WE TAKE THE CAR TO CHESAPEAKE CADILLAC IN COCKEYSVILLE WHERE HE USUALLY BUY HIS CAR FROM. WHEN WE WENT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MY HUSBAND AND THE SERVICE PERSON [XXX] NEW EACH OTHER BECAUSE HE WOULD TAKE HIS CAR THERE FOR SERVICE. WE ALSO TOLD THEM WE BELIEVED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR. MY HUSBAND ALSO TOLD HIM TO DEAL WITH ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME. AND WE WERE SEPARATED AND HE WAS MOVING NOT TO SEND ANYTHING TO HIS OLD ADDRESS BUT TO TALK TO ME. WHEN I WOULD CALL [XXX] TO ASK ABOUT THE VEHICLE HE MADE IT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS WAS GOING ON WITH THE CAR. HE TOLD ME TO TELL MY HUSBAND TO CALL HIM AND I ASKED HIM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON WAS THE CAR READY. IT WAS ONLY TAKEN THERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC SO I COULD TAKE THE CAR BACK TO WHERE THE ENGINE WAS PUT IN JUST NEEDED CONFIRMATION. [XXX] NEVER TOLD ME THE CAR WAS DONE AND I COULD PICK IT UP. THEY SEND INFORMATION TO MY HUSBAND OLD ADDRESS NOT TO ME SINCE HE DIDN'T RESPOND AND I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE [XXX] NEVER TOLD ME IT WAS READY. AND IT WAS READY NOR DID HE TELL ME THEY SEND INFO TO MY HUSBAND. THEY TOLD ME TO STORIES THEY GAVE IT TO A JUNK YARD BUT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE THEM ANYTHING BECAUSE THE CAR WAS A PIECE OF JUNK. THE OTHER WAS THAT THEY HAD FIXED IT AND I NEVER CAME TO PAY FOR IT. WHEN I CALLED AND TOLD [XXX] THAT I WAS COMING TO PICK THE CAR UP HE TOLD ME TO HOLD ON TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS ON THE LOT. HE CAME BACK AND ASKED ME IF I HAD ALREADY PICKED THE CAR UP. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RECALL. THEY TOOK MY CAR FROM ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING BEFORE COMPLETELY FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS INOPERABLE, EXCEPT FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WILL GO BLANK, WHICH CAUSES A LOSS OF GAUGE FUNCTIONALITY EXCEPT FOR THE ABS, SIR, PARK BRAKE, AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V224000 (EQUIPMENT: ELECTRICAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING HIS VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WHEN HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START IT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT WORKING. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V224000 (EQUIPMENT: ELECTRICAL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS RECALL. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

DT:THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 95V224000. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON STATING SECURITY SYSTEM DEFAULT. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME BACK ON "STATING SYSTEM DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT COST ON THE FIRST OCCASION IN 2003. NOW IT HAS TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE HEAD BOLTS RUST CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED BY NORTHSTAR.

CRACKING OF FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAK. *BF THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RECALL FOR FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS # 04V110000. *TC

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED.*JB

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, ON SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER, ONCE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, CONSUMERS DAUGHTER SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE GASOLINE THAT HAD SPILLED FROM THE CAR. (COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED BY SHARON HARRIS DAUGHTER OF SANDRA HARRIS). *YD

ENGINE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WATER PUMP AND CAMSHAFT PULLEY. YH

FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WAS SPRAYING FUEL ONTO HOT ENGINE (INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/17/10, AND REPAIRED AT LOCAL CERTIFIED REPAIR CENTER.) NHTSA RECALL #04V110000/GM RECALL NO. 41921. OWNER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON 06/02/04 FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AND 1996-1997 AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND OLDSMOBILE AURORA'S WERE SENT LETTERS ON 08/06/04. NO MENTION OF 1996 CADILLAC EL DORADO ! CADILLAC DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REIMBURSE OWNER FOR REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINE COVERING CRACKED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. THE FUEL LINES WILL BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY HOSES, LINES PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,109.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL RAIL OF THE GAS TANK AS A RECALL BUT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DEVELOPED ANOTHER LEAK, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE RECALL PROBLEM AND THE SECONS PROBLEM WERE NOT RELATED. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

IP GOES DARK. ENGINE STOPS RUNNING. WILL NOT START. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. PROBLEM WAS A SHORTED FUEL SENDER WIRE WITH A GROUND WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. BULKHEAD CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT INTERMITTENLY REDUCING VISABILITY TO ZERO.

TWO BLIND SPOTS TO THE REAR, ONE ON EACH SIDE, THAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED WITH FACTORY MIRRORS.

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER REPLACED MOTOR 3 TIMES WHICH DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM, THE WIPERS HAVE FAILED AGAIN BUT THE CONSUMER HAS DECLINED REPAIR. *AK *NLM

THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES THE WIPER TO GO OUT 3 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE SLIGHTEST BUMP HAS A TENDANCY TO SEND THE CAR OFF IN ANY DIRECTION WITH LOSS OF CONTROL.

STEERING IS WOBBLY.

POWER STEERING FAILED DUE TO BELT SLIPPING.

POWER STEERING FAILED.

1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WILL LOSE GAUGES, AUTO HEADLIGHTS, WARNING LAMPS, AND TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS. HE SAYS THIS FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS ON THE FREEWAY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED EVERYTHING BLINKED AND FLASHED AS IF A SWITCH WAS BEING RAPIDLY TURNED ON AND OFF. AFTER 2 MINUTES EVERYTHING WENT BLACK. THE CONSUMER LOCATED A RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED, HOWEVER CADILLAC INFORMED HIM, THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE PRODUCTION DATE. RECALL# 95V224000. *JB

COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL 95V224000: ANALOG INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEFECT. *MR THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL, ODOMETER, GAUGES, TRUNK RELEASE, GAS DOOR RELEASE, STEERING WHEEL/RADIO CONTROLS, DOME LIGHTS AND THE "TWILIGHT SENT." *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

A/C BLOWER IS INOPERATIVE. YH

ON NOVEMBER 22 2006, I BROUGHT FOUR TIRES (SUMITOMO 225 40Z18 SU HTRII 8) FROM SEARS AT FAIRLANE TOWN CENTER IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN. I BELIEVE THAT THE INSTALLER OF THE TIRE AT SEARS WAS AWARE OF THE BUBBLE. I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICE THE BUBBLE UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AT SEARS BECAUSE IT IS DARK IN THEIR SERVICE AREA. THE BUBBLE IS HARD TO SEE EVEN IN SUNLIGHT. A FEW DAYS (NOVEMBER 26 2006) LATER I NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE A SEPARATION OF THE BELT WITHIN THE TIRE. I SHOWED MY FRIEND. HE AGREED AND TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO SEARS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SEARS ON DECEMBER 6 2006. THE AUTO CENTER SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY A POT HOLE. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING. HE WAS ADAMANT ABOUT HIS POSITION. HE GAVE ME A NUMBER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED THAT SAME MANAGER AND WHEN CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED ME THEY HAD AGREED WITH THE MANAGER AND SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRE AND LEFT A MESSAGE, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED ME, I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVE. HE CALLED THE AUTO SERVICE MANAGER AND HE (REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TIRE MANUFACTURER) ALSO AGREED WITH THE MANAGER. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, " THE TIRE IS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY AND MY PROBLEM IS BETWEEN YOU AND SEARS". I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR COMPLAINTS OR PROBLEMS WITH THIS TYPE OF TIRES. I READ OVER 484 REVIEWS ON THIS TIRES AND I FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR OR THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME TIRE. I WOULD LIKE FOR A TIRE EXPERT TO LOOK AT MY TIRE. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES AND THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES. *JB

TWO MICHELIN (P225-6OR16-97S) TIRES FAILED.

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . *AK *BF *NM

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. *YH

CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND NEITHER WAS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

VEHICLE HAS GRINDING NOISE WHILE MOVING DUE TO RIGHT REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILURE. YH

THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING PAST 40 MPH, AS CONSUMER WAS GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE STOPPED. DEALER LET HER KNOW THEY WANTED $1200 TO BEGIN FIXING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE BAD. (COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED BY SHARON HARRIS DAUGHTER OF SANDRA HARRIS). *YD

TRANSMISSION OIL TUBE CLOGGED.

CONSUMER STATED THE INSIDE PANELING CAME APART WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR. (COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED BY SHARON HARRIS DAUGHTER OF SANDRA HARRIS.)*YD

POWER DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE.

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 TO 50 MPH CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAME LOOSE FROM ITS BRACKET AND CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. ALSO, BRKES WHERE NOT RESPONDING, TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ACCELERATOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE RESPONSE IS SPONTANEOUS WITH LITTLE CONTROL OF ACCELERATION.

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. JUST AFTERWARDS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AFFECTING DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DRIVER RAN OFF ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A SIGN. *AK

HIT FRONT LEFT QUARTER PANEL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

PROBLEM WITH SEAT BELT LOOP ON CAR SEAT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STOP ENGINE NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD OIL TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ

TIRES LEAKING AT RIM. FIRST NOTICED IN 2008. REPAIRED BY WALMART BY "GLUING TIRE TO RIM" (MY WORDS). LASTED ABOUT 1.5 YEARS. NOW TWO TIRES LEAKING AT RIM ON 1996 ELDORADO. AFTER RESEARCH I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CORROSION IN THE ALLOY (CHROME) WHEEL. GM'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. THIS IS BIG BUCKS FOR 4 WHEELS (ABOUT $1500). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE LIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY TWO MINUTES AFTER THE FAILURES. THE FAILURES ONLY OCCURRED IN THE WINTER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE (PART NUMBER 16214848) AND THE BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V224000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHICH REPAIRED THE ANALOG INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TO FIX THE STARTING FAILURE. THE DASH LIGHT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH AND AT NIGHT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V224000. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA RECALL 04V110000 REGARDING FUEL RAIL TUBING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PERFORM REPAIRS THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM WORK ON THE THROTTLE BODY, AND IT WOULD COST CONSUMER $690.00. CONSUMER INFORMED MANAGER THAT HE WANTED VEHICLE BACK, AND THAT HE WOULD TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, MANAGER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $96.00 FOR THEM TO PUT BACK THE VEHICLE TOGETHER. *AK

INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WOULD GO COMPLETELY OUT. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATE.D DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO SMOKE WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE, AND FUSE FOR ENGINE FAN WAS MISSING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

SHOCKS ARE WEAK AND VEHICLE WILL BOTTOM OUT ON NORMAL ROAD DIPS WITH SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH.