Model year record

1997 Cadillac Eldorado recalls & problems

The 1997 Cadillac Eldorado has 2 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (10 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints31filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMar 4, 2004

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 04V110000483,477 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 28, 1997

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 97V064000156,910 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Eldorado

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Fuel injection system › Fuel rail	10	1	2	1	110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	6	0	0	0	60,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	5	0	0	0	90,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	2	0	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	2	2	0	4	—
Electrical system	2	0	0	0	—
Structure	1	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, otherStorage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices	1	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	0	—
Traction control system	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM/GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ...UPDATED 08/29/16 UPDATED 6/11/18*JB
Jun 9, 2016 · 90,000 miles
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Oct 11, 2015 · 100,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI BRAKING SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR WHEN SHE TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH INTO THE RUN POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH INTO THE RUN POSITION INTERMITTENTLY AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Jan 1, 2015 · 80,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
MY VEHICLE STARTED STALLING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, IT WOULD SUDDENLY JUST CUT OFF AS IF THE GAS WAS NO LONGER FUELING THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD STOP AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN FOR ABOUT AND HOUR. AFTER STARTING IT WOULD RUN FOR ABOUT TWENTY MIN. IT WOULD THEN STOP AGAIN. I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW ONE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. IT APPEARS THERE IS NO SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Mar 12, 2012 · 165,000 miles
Traction control system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO TOURING COUPE (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO 15 MPH AND THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER IT WAS STARTED UP AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF A CORRODED TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM OR ABS SYSTEM SENSOR. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,200.
Dec 14, 2010 · 34,800 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN IN TRAFFIC *TGW THE DEALER REPLACED THE OIL SENDER, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IDLE WAS BELOW FACTORY SPECS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY COULD NOT OVERRIDE THE COMPUTER, TO PLACE THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY SETTING. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT IDLED AT 900 RPM AND NOT IT IDLES AT 400 IN WARM WEATHER. *JB UPDATED 05/05/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY SHUT DOWN WHEN IT WAS WARM. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. UPDATED 06/15/10.*JB UPDATED 06/29/10. *JB UPDATED 08/03/10.*JB
Jan 1, 1901
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE PULLED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCATION OTHER THAN THE RESIDENCE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
Mar 31, 2010 · 125,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL # 04V110000, FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE, DELIVERY HOSES, LINES, PIPING, AND FITTINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN 2008, THE FUEL LEAKAGE LEAD TO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT SINCE THE COMPANY FILED BANKRUPTCY THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. HE HAS PHOTOS OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
Jul 16, 2008 · 113,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL RAIL LEAKSClosedLed to recall 04V110000
ON MARCH 3, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MY 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES (RPO L47 - VIN8 C) TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE FROM CRACKED FUEL RAILS AND, IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, CRACKED FUEL RETURN LINES. ACCORDING TO GM, THE NYLON TUBING (PA12) USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION IN THESE VEHICLES MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK.GM'S SUPPLIER ATTRIBUTED THE CRACKING TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGN STRESSES.IN ADDITION, GM STATED THAT THE MY 1995 AURORA USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY ALSO CRACK AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTED OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IN ALL OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE IN THE MY 1995 AURORAS. ON APRIL 16, 2004,…
EA04003 · opened Feb 3, 2004 · closed Apr 23, 2004
FUEL RAIL LEAKAGEClosed
THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES USED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED BY DANA.THE FUEL RAIL JUMPER TUBES WERE MADE OF MONOLAYER NYLON 12 (PA12).IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998, THE JUMPER TUBE MATERIAL WAS CHANGED FROM PA12 TO M-BOND (A MULTI-LAYER PTFE/PA12).IN ADDITION, ALL SERVICE PARTS PRODUCED SINCE THE END OF PRODUCTION 1997 USE THE M-BOND JUMPER TUBES. MATERIAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED BY DANA ON FAILED FUEL RAILS SHOWED THAT THE MONO-LAYER NYLON 12 JUMPER TUBES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING (ESC).GM BELIEVES THE ESC IS A RESULT OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL BLENDED FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGNED IN STRESS. EIGHT OF THE GM COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF ODI COMPLAINTS.ODI HAS RECEIVED 77 OF IT'S 123 COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.FUEL RAIL PART SALES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS RANGE FROM 3.0 PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR THE MY 1997 CADILLAC VEHICLES TO 13.1 PERCENT FOR…
PE03050 · opened Oct 30, 2003 · closed Feb 3, 2004