Cadillac Fleetwood Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 161 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Cadillac Fleetwood (1985–1996) that have at least 5 complaints. 1993 has the most, with 32. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (39 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Fleetwood model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 17 | 109,000 | 2 | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 18 | 34,000 | 5 | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 16 | 136,970 | 5 | 4 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 32 | 109,000 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 8 | 76,000 | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 14 | — | 2 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 21 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 15 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 7 | 91,000 | 3 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 7 | 90,000 | 4 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes39 26%
- Electrical system21 14%
- Engine cooling19 13%
- Vehicle speed control17 11%
- Fuel system16 11%
- Seat belts13 8.8%
- Body and structure12 8.1%
- Steering11 7.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1996: “Car had a flat tire on the highway - left rear. Had jacked it up, and changed tire. Was letting jack down when it collapsed. Scissors type jack. One of the captive nuts that the main bolt runs through to raise the jack assembly failed, dropping the car unexpectedly. Luckily, the tire had been changed, and no one was hurt when the car dropped. I have had a similar failure on my 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood, and wonder if this is not common to all of the GM cars using this jack.”
NHTSA complaint #11084953, filed 2018-04, 140,000 miles1993: “I am owner #2 of this vehicle. The manufacturer discontinued making the intake manifold for the vehicle. Cadillac dealerships claim there are no nos parts, the main aftermarket manufacturers do not make replacements because it would not be profitable to do so. The used part recyclers in my area either do not have the part or misrepresent the part claiming it is for a fuel injected engine when it is clearly for a carbureted engine. This is bogus, the car runs beautifully, or did until this occurred, and now because I cannot get this one part, the car ends up in a junkyard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10652198, filed 2014-11, 165,000 miles1986: “My vehicle accelerates by itself while driving, when I change it from drive to reverse and when I press on my brakes at a stop light feels like is still accelerating and wants to go faster. I had two accidents because of this reason. Now my transmission is not changing gear anymore and this vehicle is at the mechanic for this reason. I'm having problems with the electrical system, fuel system but it was fixed by my mechanic. My main concern is the seat belts driver side and front passenger.”
NHTSA complaint #10209653, filed 2007-11, 90,000 milesOther Cadillac models
3,265 complaintsCadillac Deville
2,708 complaintsCadillac CTS
2,219 complaintsCadillac Escalade
1,725 complaintsCadillac Seville
793 complaintsCadillac Escalade ESV
530 complaintsCadillac DTS
527 complaintsCadillac Catera
463 complaints
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. Methodology