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Cadillac EldoradoModel year report

1997 Cadillac Eldorado Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
90,191miles, 18 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 1997 Cadillac Eldorado (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1997 Cadillac Eldorado. The part named most often is fuel system, with 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and engine cooling (5). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 6% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,191 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 18 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10451355, filed 2012-03, 165,000 miles

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10735170, filed 2015-07, 80,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Vehicle began to lose coolant, but wasn't seeing any leaks. I then decided to open the coolant reservoir and smell for gasoline, and the odor of gasoline is present in the coolant. The vehicle was diagnosed and found to have a blown head gasket.”

NHTSA complaint #10223829, filed 2008-04, 101,859 miles

Air bags: “During a 70 MPH roll over, the vehicle hit a guard rail and the front air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The consumer was involved in a frontal collision.”

NHTSA complaint #10109426, filed 2005-07, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

6% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,067 and 110,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–256%25–5022%50–7528%75–10039%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 90,191 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

8200420062008201020122016
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 1997 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 1997 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. 18 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 18 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 1997 Cadillac Eldorado have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1997 Cadillac Eldorado as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Cadillac Eldorado is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.

Has the 1997 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 1997 Cadillac Eldorado get?

The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 Cadillac Eldorado reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,191 miles and the middle half falls between 72,067 and 110,000 miles; 6% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.