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Cadillac EldoradoModel year report

1996 Cadillac Eldorado Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
77,848miles, 23 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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
18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by fuel system (9) and engine cooling (4). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,848 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “After sitting in a parking lot while I went into the bank for 15-20 min. I got into my car and started the engine. I heard a pop , pulled forward about 10 to 15 feet when I started to smell something burning. I looked down at the gauges and everything looked off. When I looked back up I saw black smoke coming out from under the hood. I put the car in park and turned off the engine. I then turned to my daughter and told her to get out of the car and get away from it. By that time flames were coming out from under the hood. We both got out of the car and called 911. …”

NHTSA complaint #10021487, filed 2003-06, 77,848 miles

Fuel system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10598796, filed 2014-06, 129,000 miles

Engine cooling: “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. The oil pan gasket was replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10073903, filed 2004-08, 65,000 miles

Equipment: “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 complaint #10150467, filed 2006-02, 94,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 103,000 miles.

9%0–100%10–259%25–5030%50–7517%75–10022%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (23 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 77,848 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2003720052007201020132015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1996 Cadillac Eldorado version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Eldorado FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152418$4,550

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

Recall details for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 16 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Eldorado

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20021034,5560—19—Not enough data
20011844,0740—18—Stable
20002362,4251—19—Falling
19991246,0000—18—Not enough data
19981684,4901—18—Stable
19973190,1912—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963177,8482—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199529120,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19941075,0002—18—Not enough data
1993592,0002—18—Not enough data
19925132,1281—18—Not enough data

All Cadillac Eldorado model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by fuel system with 9.

Has the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado (Eldorado, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado reported?

Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,848 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 103,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.