IllustrationMileage unknown · Apr 26, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
ENGINE FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #835822
1983 Cadillac Fleetwood
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →1Owner complaints
Model-year median: 5
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
3InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1983 Cadillac Fleetwood
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 1 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 1 reports
- Equipment: 1 reports
- Power Train: 1 reports
- Steering: 1 reports
- Suspension: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Fleetwood years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reportsENGINE FAILED.
Recall campaigns
190V093000 · Equipment:other:labels
May 9, 1990
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
3EA88019 · Hydro Boost
Opened Jan 28, 1988 · Closed Oct 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE87054 · Trunk Fires
Opened Sep 4, 1987 · Closed Feb 8, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM RESONATORS HAVE A VERY SHORTSERVICE LIFE, USUALLY RUPTURING ON THE END, VERY NEAR THE FLOOR OF THETRUNK.HOT EXHAUST GASES FROM THE BLOWN RESONATOR REPORTEDLY GET THEFLOOR OF THE TRUNK SO HOT THAT FIRES HAVE RESULTED.PROPOSED ACTION:OPEN A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS===
EA86003 · Side Door Fires
Opened Oct 28, 1985 · Closed Feb 18, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
SUMMARY OF MANUFACTURER INFORMATION:GM HAS DUPLICATED A FIRE USING SALTWATER ON THE DOOR SWITCHES.WATER MAY DROP FROM AN OPEN WINDOW ONTO THESWITCH PANEL ON THE DOOR ARMREST.GM REVIEWING RISK, WILL NOTIFY ODIBY LATE SEPT ON POSSIBLE FUTURE GM ACTION.ANALYSIS:SALT WATER CONTAMINATION MAY OCCUR.INCREASED INCIDENTS AREREPORTED IN THE WINTER MONTHS.SALT WATER MAY PROVIDE A CONDUCTIVE PATHBELOW CURRENT RATING OF FUSE BUT SUFFICIENT TO OVERHEAT SWITCH PANEL.STATUS: GM RECALLED E-BODY CONVERTIBLES (87V-167).GM RESPONSE TO11/23/87 IR DATED 12/15/87. EA CLOSED 2/18/88.===
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.