1988 Cadillac Allante Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 4.1L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Cadillac Allante (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1988 Cadillac Allante. The part named most often is brakes, with 20 complaints (95% of the total), followed by seat belts (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 3 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes20 95%
- Seat belts1 4.8%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Everytime the brakes are applied the brake light goes on and message anti-lock disabled appears. When I took it to Cadillac dealer they told me cost to repair would be $4,500 plus. However, I have heard from other Allante owners that after replacing whole brake system the problem is likely to reoccur.”
NHTSA complaint #706841, filed 1999-05Seat belts: “Due to sun light plastic housing of seatbelts they have cracked . Internal parts within seatbelts assemlby have failed due to poor manufacturing, causing a loss of protection.please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #862773, filed 2000-05Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Cadillac Allante version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allante FWD | 4.1L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V072000Apr 26, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Cadillac Allante 1988
Pressure relief valve in fuel cap may stick during the turn to vent function, causing the valve to remain open.
Recall details for the 1988 Cadillac Allante → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA99017Braking system failureClosed · Jun 30, 1999
- PE99012Braking systemClosed · Feb 5, 1999
- DP99001Braking systemClosed · Jan 6, 1999
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Cadillac Allante.
Other model years of the Cadillac Allante
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 9 | 60,772 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 23 | 53,137 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 32 | 132,668 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 40 | 71,500 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 37 | — | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 21 | — | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 34 | 130,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Cadillac Allante model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Cadillac Allante have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1988 Cadillac Allante as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Cadillac Allante is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 20 complaints (95% of the total), followed by seat belts with 1.
Has the 1988 Cadillac Allante been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Cadillac Allante get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Cadillac Allante (Allante, 4.1L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.