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: 3 of 17 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reports
140,000 miles · Apr 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other
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 TH…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11084953
109,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
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.
NHTSA ODI #10319251
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2004
Steering
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10057156
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL PUMP CONTAINED A SHORTAGE, WHICH CAUSED A SPARK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014587
50,000 miles · Mar 18, 2003
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE IT WAS BEING TURNED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10012010
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
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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.*SLC
NHTSA ODI #899980
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
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 *ML
NHTSA ODI #865279
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
AIR BAG WORKED AS INTENDED BUT CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THE AIRBAG WHICH MADE IT HARD TO BREATH AFTER ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #544932
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #536325
Mileage unknown · May 19, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM. DEALER MAINTAINS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *AK
DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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
1
EA96007 · Rear Wheel Separation
Opened May 31, 1996 · Closed Dec 24, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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.
1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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