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1996 Cadillac Eldorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

23 reports with mileage · 8 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

9 reports
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129,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WAS SPRAYING FUEL ONTO HOT ENGINE (INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/17/10, AND REPAIRED AT LOCAL CERTIFIED REPAIR CENTER.) NHTSA 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 AN…

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FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WAS SPRAYING FUEL ONTO HOT ENGINE (INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/17/10, AND REPAIRED AT LOCAL CERTIFIED REPAIR CENTER.) NHTSA 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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598796

138,000 miles · Dec 5, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554991

26,109 miles · Aug 22, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMB…

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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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY HOSES, LINES PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,109.

NHTSA ODI #10239401

150,000 miles · Oct 23, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL RAIL OF THE GAS TANK AS A RECALL BUT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DEVELOPED ANOTHER LEAK, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL RAIL OF THE GAS TANK AS A RECALL BUT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DEVELOPED ANOTHER LEAK, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE RECALL PROBLEM AND THE SECONS PROBLEM WERE NOT RELATED. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10171580

73,751 miles · Jul 25, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

IP GOES DARK. ENGINE STOPS RUNNING. WILL NOT START. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. PROBLEM WAS A SHORTED FUEL SENDER WIRE WITH A GROUND WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. BULKHEAD CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION.

NHTSA ODI #10129920

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

NHTSA RECALL 04V110000 REGARDING FUEL RAIL TUBING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PERFORM REPAIRS THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM WORK ON THE THROTTLE BODY, AND IT WOULD COST CONSUMER $690.00. CONSUMER INFORMED MANAGER THAT HE WANTED VEHI…

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NHTSA RECALL 04V110000 REGARDING FUEL RAIL TUBING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PERFORM REPAIRS THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM WORK ON THE THROTTLE BODY, AND IT WOULD COST CONSUMER $690.00. CONSUMER INFORMED MANAGER THAT HE WANTED VEHICLE BACK, AND THAT HE WOULD TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, MANAGER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $96.00 FOR THEM TO PUT BACK THE VEHICLE TOGETHER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10092612

83,351 miles · Nov 20, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK HAS MELTED FROM THE INSIDE. AS A RESULT FUEL LEAKS FROM THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10048367

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

OVER POWERING GAS SMELL. LIFTED HOOD AND FOUND THERE WAS GAS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. TOOK INTO BETTEN CADILLAC AND THEY DISCOVERED FUEL RAIL LEAKING. THEY REPLACED IT FOR $554.14. I JUST READ IN THE PAPER 11\04\03 THAT THEY NHTSA WAS THINKING OF A RECALL. I WOULD SAY "YES" AS WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR CAR IN FEAR OF FIRE. WE HAV…

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OVER POWERING GAS SMELL. LIFTED HOOD AND FOUND THERE WAS GAS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. TOOK INTO BETTEN CADILLAC AND THEY DISCOVERED FUEL RAIL LEAKING. THEY REPLACED IT FOR $554.14. I JUST READ IN THE PAPER 11\04\03 THAT THEY NHTSA WAS THINKING OF A RECALL. I WOULD SAY "YES" AS WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR CAR IN FEAR OF FIRE. WE HAVE A 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO VIN # [XXX].*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10045443

98,598 miles · Nov 4, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LEAK, PIN HOLE IN FUEL LINE, ABOVE ENGINE, SPRAYING GASOLINE ON ENGINE, 1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10045402

Official recalls

2

04V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 4, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

95V224000 · Equipment:electrical

Nov 30, 1995

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA04003 · Fuel Rail Leaks

Opened Feb 3, 2004 · Closed Apr 23, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline

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.

PE03050 · Fuel Rail Leakage

Opened Oct 30, 2003 · Closed Feb 3, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

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.

EA98004 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment

Opened Feb 24, 1998 · Closed Jun 16, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

There is no summary currently available