Check a VIN

1996 Cadillac Eldorado problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado is electrical system, typically around 61,200 miles. It has 1.7 times the complaints of a typical Eldorado model year.

Typical year1.7x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
31
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
49
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1996 Cadillac Eldorado problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    12
  • Fuel system
    9
  • Engine
    5
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    12
  • Fuel system
    9
  • Engine
    5
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported March 4, 2004 · 483,477 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction may degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that may crack. Cracking of the fuel rail or return line tubing can result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment.
Risk
Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine fuel rail with a new stainless steel fuel rail. Dealers will also install a revised chassis fuel return line. The recall began on june 2, 2004, for 1996-1997 oldsmobile aurora vehicles. Owners of 1995 cadillacs and 1996-1997 oldsmobile aurora were sent letters on august 6, 2004. Additional letters to owners will be forthcoming. Owners should contact oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.

Recall number 04V110000 · Recall details

Equipment: electricalReported November 30, 1995 · 1,408 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The analog instrument panel cluster on these vehicles could have an internal short circuit disrupting the pass key system, causing failure of the instrument panel gauges and tell-tales, and a possible no-start condition. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays;" no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment;" and no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: if the short circuit occurs while driving, the instrument panel cluster will go blank, causing loss of gauge function and all teel-tale indicators except for ABS, sir, park brake and service engine soon. The loss of all tell-tales for seat belts, turn signals, high beam, hazard, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and others result in noncompliance with these safety standards.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the instrument panel cluster.

Recall number 95V224000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado

Defect investigations

Fuel rail leaksOpened February 3, 2004, closed April 23, 2004

On march 3, 2004, general motors notified odi that it was recalling approximately 94,000 my 1995-97 oldsmobile aurora vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines (rpo l47 - vin8 c) to address concerns with underhood fuel leakage from cracked fuel rails and, in some of the vehicles, cracked fuel return lines. According to gm, the nylon tubing (pa12) used in the fuel rail construction in these vehicles may degrade and crack.gm's supplier attributed the cracking to the combined effects of heat, time, alcohol fuel, fuel pressure cycling, and design stresses.in addition, gm stated that the my 1995 aurora uses a unique underhood fuel return line that may also crack at unusually high rates.gm dealers will install a new fuel rail constructed out of stainless steel in all of the recalled vehicles and will also install a revised chassis fuel return line in the my 1995 auroras. On april 16, 2004, general motors notified odi that it was adding approximately 389,000 my 1995-97 cadillac seville, deville and eldorado vehicles equipped with 4.6l v8 engines (rpo's ld8 and l37 - vin8 y and 9) to recall 04v‑110.the recalled cadillacs will receive the new stainless steel fuel rails.this engineering analysis is closed.

EA04003

Fuel rail leakageOpened October 30, 2003, closed February 3, 2004

The fuel rail assemblies used in the subject vehicles were manufactured by dana.the fuel rail jumper tubes were made of monolayer nylon 12 (pa12).in model year (my) 1998, the jumper tube material was changed from pa12 to m-bond (a multi-layer ptfe/pa12).in addition, all service parts produced since the end of production 1997 use the m-bond jumper tubes. Material analysis performed by dana on failed fuel rails showed that the mono-layer nylon 12 jumper tubes are susceptible to environmental stress cracking (ESC).gm believes the ESC is a result of heat, time, alcohol blended fuel, fuel pressure cycling, and designed in stress. Eight of the gm complaints are duplicative of odi complaints.odi has received 77 of it's 123 complaints in the past 12 months.fuel rail part sales over the last three years range from 3.0 percent of production for the my 1997 cadillac vehicles to 13.1 percent for the my 1995 auroras.at least one of the fire incidents occured while the vehicle was parked within a garage attached to the consumers home.the fire resulted in damage to the dwelling as well as the total loss of the vehicle.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis.

PE03050

Inadvertent air bag deploymentOpened February 24, 1998, closed June 16, 1998

There is no summary currently available

EA98004

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado 49

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 49 bulletins for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado

1996 Cadillac Eldorado fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylFWD152418

What 1996 Cadillac Eldorado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 4, 2015 · Engine · 100,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 cadillac eldorado. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the stop engine now warning indicator illuminated continuously. The contact pulled over and observed that the oil was low in the vehicle. The contact had to add oil to the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gasket was leaking oil and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Updated 02/05/16

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Fuel system · 129,000 miles · FL

Fuel delivery system was spraying fuel onto hot engine (incident occurred on 11/17/10, and repaired at local certified repair center.) the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jan 31, 2014 · Electrical · 1,000 miles · MD

On our way to a family funeral bells started going off and lights flashing. My husband had put in a new engine from one stop auto don't know why. When we came back from virginia I took the car to my mechanic he didn't want to do anything to it. He believed the brain and the engine wasn't communicating. My husband suggested we take the car to chesapeake cadillac in cockeysville where he usually buy his car from. When we went into the service department my husband and the service person [xxx] new each other because he would take his car there for service. We also told them we believed there was a recall on the car. My husband also told him to deal with me because the car was given to me. And we were separated and he was moving not to send anything to his old address but to talk to me. When I would call [xxx] to ask about the vehicle he made it sound like something suspicious was going on with the car. He told me to tell my husband to call him and I asked him to tell me what was going on was the car ready. It was only taken there for diagnostic so I could take the car back to where the engine was put in just needed confirmation. [xxx] never told me the car was done and I could pick it up. They send information to my husband old address not to me since he didn't respond and I didn't know anything about it because [xxx] never told me it was ready. And it was ready nor did he tell me they send info to my husband. They told me to stories they gave it to a junk yard but they wouldn't give them anything because the car was a piece of junk. The other was that they had fixed it and I never came to pay for it. When I called and told [xxx] that I was coming to pick the car up he told me to hold on to see if the car was on the lot. He came back and asked me if I had already picked the car up. I told them about the recall. They took my car from me. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 5, 2013 · Fuel system · 138,000 miles · NY

Strong gas smell inside car.

Filed Jul 24, 2012 · Electrical · 61,200 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 cadillac eldorado. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, he noticed that the instrument panel lights were flashing before completely failing. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and but provided no assistance. The failure and the current mileage was 61,200.

Filed Feb 20, 2010 · Wheels · 60,000 miles · VA

Tires leaking at rim. First noticed in 2008. Repaired by walmart by "gluing tire to rim" (my words). Lasted about 1.5 years. Now two tires leaking at rim on 1996 eldorado. After research I understand that the problem is corrosion in the alloy (chrome) wheel. Gm's recommendation is to replace the wheel. This is big bucks for 4 wheels (about $1500).

Filed Aug 22, 2008 · Fuel system · 26,109 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 cadillac eldorado. The contact smelled gasoline coming from the vehicle and took it to a repair shop. The mechanic discovered that the fuel line covering cracked and caused fuel to leak. The fuel lines will be replaced. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v110000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines piping, and fittings). The failure and current mileages were 26,109.

Filed Jul 28, 2008 · Electrical · 103,000 miles · AK

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 cadillac eldorado. The contact stated that the instrument cluster malfunctioned. The entire instrument panel is inoperable, except for the speedometer and odometer. While driving 60 MPH, the instrument panel cluster will go blank, which causes a loss of gauge functionality except for the ABS, sir, park brake, and service engine soon indicators. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 95v224000 (equipment: electrical). The failure mileage was 103,000 and current mileage was 103,200.

Filed Apr 10, 2008 · Electrical · 145,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 cadillac eldorado. The contact experienced difficulty starting his vehicle for a couple of months. When he was finally able to start it, the instrument panel was not working. The local dealer stated that there was no recall on the vehicle; however, the contact believes that his VIN should be included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 95v224000 (equipment: electrical). The manufacturer stated that they were unfamiliar with this recall. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 145,000 and approximate current mileage was 155,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · WA

1996 cadillac eldorado electrical failure while driving. Consumer stated that he will lose gauges, auto headlights, warning lamps, and turn signal indicators. He says this failure usually occurs on the freeway. *kb the consumer stated everything blinked and flashed as if a switch was being rapidly turned on and off. After 2 minutes everything went black. The consumer located a recall regarding the problem he experienced, however cadillac informed him, that his vehicle identification number was outside of the production date. Recall# 95v224000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1996 Cadillac Eldorado before you buy

Compare the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado

Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002

Questions about the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado

Is the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado reliable?

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado, 1.7 times a typical Eldorado model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado?

Electrical system, with 12 complaints, typically around 61,200 miles. Next is fuel system (9).

How many recalls does the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado have?

2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and equipment.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 24 highway.

Share your experience with the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1996 Cadillac Eldorado?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN