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Cadillac EldoradoModel year report

1998 Cadillac Eldorado Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
84,490miles, 12 complaints with mileage
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
18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and engine cooling (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,490 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 25 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “- the contact stated that while driving his 1998 Cadillac Eldorado he could smell gas, so he took it to pep boys. At pep boys they stated that the plastic part of the fuel rail had several pinholes in it and was spraying a mist of fuel onto the number eight spark plug. The plastic tubing had to be replaced. The failure mileage was 94000. The contact can provide a copy of the invoice repair if needed. Updated 2/16/2007 - the technician informed the consumer of a recall related to this problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10178786, filed 2007-01, 94,000 miles

Brakes: “While applying the brakes suddenly in heavy traffic on I-95 the brakes failed. The brake pedal went completly to the floor and provided no braking capability. Brake fluid was released into the engine compartment and smoke was released. The emergency brake was used to get the car to the nearest dealership. Both brake lines had reptured (front and rear). Parts were $130 and labor was $497. Cadillac customer service refused to reimburse me for any of the costs for the repairs because of the out or warranty period.”

NHTSA complaint #10049429, filed 2003-12, 216,500 miles

Engine cooling: “Starting with dic message of low coolant , I have experienced an engine overheating problem. After the Cadillac dealer in durango colorado was unable to find a problem ( replaced hoses, water pump), my mechanic (in albuquerque)found a cracked head that was leaking coolant internaly. Fixed the head, but now the head bolt holes stripped. Used oversized helicoils , but block material still to soft and cannot torque down the head bolts without pulling helicoils. Aluminum metal got to soft and have to replace the engine. This engin only has 82k+ miles and should not be doing this. …”

NHTSA complaint #10075059, filed 2004-06, 82,480 miles

Wheels: “Two tires continue to lose air. I finally went to replace the tires and the service center said that the rim was leaking and had to be replaced. That there was a hole in the rim from oxidation. The chrome was peeling off of 2 of the rims.”

NHTSA complaint #10249603, filed 2008-11, 70,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 94,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2517%25–5017%50–7542%75–10017%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 84,490 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200382004200720082009201120152018
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 1998 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$3,700

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 1998 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. 25 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 25 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 1998 Cadillac Eldorado have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.

Has the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 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 1998 Cadillac Eldorado get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado (Eldorado, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,490 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 94,000 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.