1991 Cadillac Allante: brake failure

Filed Feb 25, 2006 · Brakes · 105,336 miles · NY

Total brake failure without warning, driving 45 MPH applied brakes to slow down no braking at all,I went into the road shoulder and some how manage to stop by driving the car through tall weeds. Failure due to brake line rupture.

Filed Dec 2, 2003 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · NJ · crash

While reversing at 10 MPH brakes failed , causing the consumer to hit the vehicle in the rear. The brake pedal was hard when depressed. *ak consumer read in the owner's manual that the vehicle had dual brakes. Meaning, if one part fails the other part would work to stop the vehicle. Brakes were checked by a private dealer and consumer learned he had brakes going forward but not backwards.

Filed Jul 20, 2000 · Brakes · NC

Brakes failed in the process in coming to a stop. Then vehicle was free wheeling until they were pressed almost to the floor.

Filed Jun 5, 2000 · Brakes · GA

Complete brake failure. The pedal went completely to the floor. I made it into a parking lot and coasted to a stop (fortunate timing of incident). I have since heard this is not an unusual occurence with this bosch brake system. I was also told to refrence odi action number ea-99-017. This situation is really frightening. Can you forward to me any advice?

Filed May 1, 2000 · Brakes · MD

The bosch system failed completely. Lost all hydrallic pressure and had no brakes whatsoever. Apparently this is a know problem that has been experienced by all owners after 100k mileage or 7 years of age.

Filed Feb 17, 2000 · Brakes · IL

I originally submitted this report when it happened. When I saw a list of all the allantes with the failure, I noticed mu127092 wasn't on it. I was told to resubmit. Anyway, I run the local allante car club here in st. Louis and I can't tell you how nervous our 87-92 members/owners are. They are scared to drive their cars because they could lose their entire braking system with out any warning. Almost all of them won't let their wives drive or let the kids ride along because of this potentially deadly failure. This happened on my other allante as well (nu126027) the car was low mileage, in perfect shape, and inspected constantly. It happened without warning. That car had to have the entire hydro system replaced along with $6,000 in other brake components before the computer said the braking system was safe (a total of $8,500.in parts/service). It took 7 weeks because cadillac wouldn't respond to service queries by my dealer. Cadillac is terrible when it comes to these braking systems because they know what a problem they have on there hands. The car I'm reporting now, mu127092 was roughly $2,300 in service and 2 weeks to repair. One of our members had a brake failure on his 88 and had to store his allante because he can't afford to replce the system. I currently own two 93 allante as well; both with the traditional bosch ii vacuum powered system used on all other cadillacs. I can drive those cars without worry. It would be a blessing to have cadillac replace our bosch iii hydro systems with the bosch ii vacuum boost system. Then we all could drive our wonderful cars with confidence rather than white knuckle fear. Thank you for you help. J. Heslop, founder, gateway region - allante appreciation group.

Filed Apr 13, 1999 · Brakes, Lights · IL

Brake system failed while in parking lot 3 times. Would not stop vehicle without shifting into netrual. Brake light came on when system failed. After restarting vehicle brakes worked fine. Called dealer, they wanted car when brakes did not work. Vehicle has been maintained by dealership since new. I am the second owner. Took dealer three weeks and three different parts to get vehicle to work. First part, ABS pump, then brake switch, then master brake cylinder. Vehicle has only 20,000 miles and master cylinder needs to be replaced before brake pads.

Filed Apr 1, 1999 · Brakes · MI

While traveling and making a sudden stop the brake pedal went to the floorboard, vehicle continued to traveling. By depressing the brakes again vehicle stopped. Please prive further information.

Filed Nov 17, 1998 · Brakes · FL

Complete loss of braking ability upon failure of unit. Diagnostic code 63 on vehicle computer-bayview cadillac diagnosed as a faulty ABS hyrdraulic unit. Cadillac contacted by dealer for repair assistance-non offered. Suspect second failure of unit due to label on failed units stating remanufactured for gm, however bayview cadillac would not disclose prior service record on vehicle prior to purchase. Owner ordered replacement, conducted installation, and sent failed unit core back to lambert buick-pontiac-gmc under invoice #44508. Total repair cost parts: p/n 3636719 1889.75, brake fluid $15.00, and 3.5 hours labor.

Filed Nov 17, 1998 · Brakes · NV

Abs system complete fails. No brakes at all! Very dangerous! I own a 1990 and 1991 and have had simular situations with each. Dealerhsip has replaced brake system 5 times on the 1991 since the vehical was new.

Filed Nov 11, 1998 · TX

I've had 3 master cylinders put in my allante- one when I bought it- I had to wait 2 weeks to get it- I thought how great they are putting new breaks on my car- I started having break problems within a few months- I kept taking it back to the dealer and they kept telling me it was fixed ileft the dealer one rainy night and had no breaks- I drove very slow back to the dealers in tears I was so scared- I'm female so I can do that- they put a new master cylinder in then- worked fine until last christmas- the brakes went out again with my grand daughter in the car- also the car was out of warranty from nov. 97- so I had to pay for this one but sewell is a good dealer and picked up part of the tab- a car should not need breaks 3 times in 3 yrs. Lots of allante owners in our club have had break problems- thats why were contacting you- thanks ck merola