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.
The worst 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes4
- Steering3
- Acceleration2
- Airbags2
- Body2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes4
- Steering3
- Acceleration2
- Airbags2
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Transmission2
- Visibility2
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
Recalls 2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly.
- Risk
- This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification.
Recall number 96V245000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
- Risk
- The lower control arm ball joint can loosen, fatigue, and separate from the front suspension knuckle resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced.
Recall number 96V018000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
Defect investigations
Rear wheel separation
Gm notified odi that they are conducting a recall to retorque the wheel lug nuts on vehicles built between august and september of 1995.it is anticipated that most vehicles will require the wheel lug nuts to be retorqued to 135 n.m(100 lb. Ft.).customers who have had all four of their tires and wheels rotated should have properly torqued lug nuts.however, gm is offering customers who have had their tires and wheels rotated the option of returning to their dealer for this repair or completing and returning an owner reply card included with their recall notice.this engineering analysis is closed.
EA96007
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood 34
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Missing camshaft intermediate drive shaft plug - service vme
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case
1996 Cadillac Fleetwood fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 24 | 18 |
What 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 cadillac fleetwood. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without warning. In order to stop the acceleration, the contact placed the vehicle into neutral gear. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. There were no prior warnings and the current and failure mileages were 109,000.
Steering wheel locked up. Consumer down shifted, and was able to pull off the road. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealership.
The fuel pump contained a shortage, which caused a spark.
The steering wheel locked up while it was being turned. This was an intermittent problem. The dealership could not duplicate the problem.
Power steering goes out temporarily without prior warning, then it releases by itself, dealershipop is aware of problem, mechanic replaced steering wheel position sensor. *ak consumer also stated there is a noise in front suspension when backing out of a parking space, the remote was inoperable, keyless entry pad willnot open door unless standing right next to it, r/r door is hard to close when all other doors are closed, brakes feel like they are dragging, dealer adjusted rear brakes, consumer stated vehicle hesitates at times, dealer replaced the egr valve, also passenger side haed rest will not stay up.
Intermittently when pressing down on the accelerator pedal vehicle just stalled. When pressing down a little harder vehicle took off. Vehicle has been taken to the dealership 3 or 4 times for this problem. Dealership has not been able to correct this problem yet. *ak
Air bag worked as intended but consumer concerned about the contents of the airbag which made it hard to breath after accident.
Remote door/rear compartment lock failed.
While driving the vehicle applied the brakes, and the brakes locked up. This is a ongoing problem. Dealer maintains there is nothing wrong.
Compare the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
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Questions about the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
Is the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood reliable?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood, close to a typical Fleetwood model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood?
Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is steering (3).
How many recalls does the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood have?
2 recalls, covering wheels and suspension.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 24 highway.
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