NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
133.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
133.3%
150,000+ miles
133.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 9Jul 2007
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Cadillac Allante
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA99017Opened 30 Jun 1999Closed 28 Dec 2001SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE
PE99012Opened 5 Feb 1999Closed 30 Jun 1999SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKING SYSTEM
CONSUMERS ALLEGE A PARTIAL OR TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY
DP99001Opened 6 Jan 1999Closed 8 Feb 1999SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKING SYSTEM
THE PETITIONER ALLEGE TOTAL LOSS OF ALL BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING
Recalls on the 1987 Cadillac Allante
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 160,000 milesLontoc, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CADILLAC ALLANTE. THE VEHICLE HAS PIRELLI 2560VR15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FIELD. SHE SUSTAINED CUTS TO THE FOREHEAD, A BRUISED LEFT LEG, AND A CONCUSSION. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE TIRES WERE NOT INSPECTED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 09/18/07.
NHTSA complaint #10195650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boardman, OHFire
POWER TRAIN
ELECTRICAL WITH THE TRANSMISSION-A NEW MAIN COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION PRINDL SWITCH WERE INSTALLED. I STARTED OUT AND HEARD A BIG BOOM. THE INNER PLANETARY TRANSMISSION HOUSING UNIT EXPLODED INTO CHUNKS OF METAL ALL OVER THE ROAD AND SPRAYING TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO CATALYTIS CONVERTER CAUSING A FIRE. WIRING HARNESS AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE BURNT.
NHTSA complaint #9003622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 160,000 milesLontoc, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CADILLAC ALLANTE. THE VEHICLE HAS PIRELLI 2560VR15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FIELD. SHE SUSTAINED CUTS TO THE FOREHEAD, A BRUISED LEFT LEG, AND A CONCUSSION. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE TIRES WERE NOT INSPECTED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 09/18/07.
NHTSA complaint #10195650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesPort Orange, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THIS PAST WEEKEND THE BRAKES ON MY 1987 ALLANTE COMPLETELY FAILED LEAVING ME WITH ONLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFTING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVELED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FROM THE PUMP TO THE BRAKE UNIT ON THE FIREWALL DEVELOPED A PIN-HOLE; THIS ALLOWED THE SYSTEM TO PUMP ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID OVERBOARD IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. FROM THE TIME THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL I LOST ALL BRAKES WAS A MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS. HAD I BEEN ON A DIFFERENT ROAD OR HAD MY DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING THE CAR THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10164725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,157 milesImperial, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED ALL CADILLAC DEALERS IN ST LOUIS AREA AND THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SYSTEM. IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVABLE NOW FOR 2 YEARS,AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1987 ALLANTES.
NHTSA complaint #10054297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BOSCH ABS FAILURES ARE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL CADILLAC.
NHTSA complaint #757488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boardman, OHFire
POWER TRAIN
ELECTRICAL WITH THE TRANSMISSION-A NEW MAIN COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION PRINDL SWITCH WERE INSTALLED. I STARTED OUT AND HEARD A BIG BOOM. THE INNER PLANETARY TRANSMISSION HOUSING UNIT EXPLODED INTO CHUNKS OF METAL ALL OVER THE ROAD AND SPRAYING TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO CATALYTIS CONVERTER CAUSING A FIRE. WIRING HARNESS AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE BURNT.
NHTSA complaint #9003622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vista, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH OTHER ALLANTE OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED BRAKE FAILURES WITH THE BOSCH III ABS SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THESE CARS. THIS FAILURE IS CATASTROPHIC BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM REQUIRES AT LEAST 3 1/2 PUMPS OF THE ACTUATOR, BUT CANNOT BE ENGAGED WITH THE CAR IN GEAR. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL WARN OF COMPONENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM USING A SERIES OF COMPLICATED CODES, IT IMPLIES THAT THAT ABS SYSTEM CAN BE DEACTIVATED AND THE BRAKES WILL STILL FUNCTION. THAT MAY BE CORRECT OR MAY NOT. IN SOME CASES, PEOPLE HAVE DRIVEN FOR A YEAR WITH THESE WARNINGS APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY, ONLY TO HAVE COMPLETE FAILURE OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. IN OTHERS, THE BRAKES FAILED ALMOST AS SOON AS THE WARNINGS APPEARED. WORSE YET, THE WARNINGS SEEM TO IMPLY THAT THE BRAKES WILL FUNCTION WITH THE "ABS SYSTEM DISABLED". IN SOME CASES THEY DO, BUT COMPLETE AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WILL OCCUR AT SOME COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE TIME IN THE FUTURE. THIS CIRCUMSTANCE IS ABSOLUTELY INTOLERABLE AND CONSTITUTES A MAJOR SAFETY THREAT TO THE OWNER AND THE PUBLIC. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS SYSTEM WILL RUN FROM $1500-4000, AND NEITHER CADILLAC NOR BOSCH HAS MADE ANY EFFORT TO "PATCH" OR UPDATE THE DESIGN, PROVIDE A MORE FAILSAFE SYSTEM, OR SUBSIDIZE IN ANY WAY THE COST OF THESE REPAIRS. I AM AWARE OF NO OTHER CAR WHOSE ESSENTIAL BRAKING SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE THOUSANDS TO MAINTAIN OR ABSOLUTELY WILL EITHER COST THOUSANDS THAVE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WILL SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITHIN 140,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #736098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ABS SYSTEMS ON ALLANTES DEFECTIVE--NHSTA ENGINEERS INVESTIGATING?
NHTSA complaint #731858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #724735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valdosta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
AT 65MPH APPLIED BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE AHEAD VEERED INTO MY LANE. BRAKE PEDAL SLAMMED TO THE FLOOR. RELEASED BRAKES AND SMOOTHLY REAPPLIED PRESSURE. PEDAL JUMPED UP APPROX HALF WAY. RELEASED PRESSURE AGAIN AND EASED PEDAL DOWN AGAIN. NORMAL BRAKING WAS REGAINED. HAD BRAKES REBUILT IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER. NO APPARENT PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #724611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Pete, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hobart, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE PROBLEM IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAIL AT TIMES AND THEN RETURN TO NORMAL, I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR 25 YEARS AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM . I HAVE READ OF MANY OTHER ALLANTE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #721637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE ALLANTE IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. IT IS A DANGER TO THOSE OF US WHO DRIVE THE CAR AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I NARROWLY AVOIDED REAR ENDING ANOTHER CAR AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WHEN COMLETE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED BY PULLING ON THE SHOULDER AND SLOWLY ROLLING TO A STOP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL ALLANTE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS BREM FAILURES. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURY OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #720604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marysville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A NORMAL FASHION, THE ANTI-LOCK MESSAGE IS LIT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS A 'CLICK' FEEL TO IT AS PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THE BRAKES DO LOCK UP IN A PANIC STOP. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, THE ANTI-LOCK MESSAGE WILL FLASH ON THE INFORMATION CENTER EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MOVED OR THE BRAKES APPLIED. WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN, IF THE PEDAL IS GENTLY PUSHED THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND WARN OF ANTI-LOCK DISABLING. THEY WORK FINE THEN.
NHTSA complaint #718489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO BRAKING SYSTEM. NOT QUALITY COMPONENTS
NHTSA complaint #714621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #711422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse ILE, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ALLANTE. THE ABS DISABLES AND THEN FULL BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #708856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayside, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #708459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterford, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DISABLES WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED FIRMLY.
NHTSA complaint #706976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE THE MASTER CYLINDER UNIT PART #3636719. I ALSO REPORTED THE PREVIOUS FAILURE TO NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #706481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cropseyville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS HAS BEEN MY THIRD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE....I HAVE REPORTED ONE OTHER TO YOUR ORGANIZATION.......I'M 52 YEARS OLD.I DON'T DRIVE HARD OR FAST.THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.PLEASE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. PLEASE DO YOUR JOB.
NHTSA complaint #705873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. PART NUMBERS REPLACED INCLUDE: ACCUMULATOR 3520224, MASTER CYLINDER 3636719 AND THE F-MODULE AS (ECM) 1638548. FORTUNATELY, AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE I WAS SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO LOW, KEPT GOING STRAIGHT AND STOPPED BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DEALERSHIP INVOICE REPAIR ORDER # 173761 AND 172562.
NHTSA complaint #705778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. PART NUMBERS REPLACED INCLUDE: ACCUMULATOR 3520224, MASTER CYLINDER 3636719 AND THE F-MODULE AS (ECM) 1638548. FORTUNATELY, AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE I WAS SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO LOW, KEPT GOING STRAIGHT AND STOPPED BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DEALERSHIP INVOICE REPAIR ORDER # 173761 AND 172562.
NHTSA complaint #705778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. PART NUMBERS REPLACED INCLUDE: ACCUMULATOR 3520224, MASTER CYLINDER 3636719 AND THE F-MODULE AS (ECM) 1638548. FORTUNATELY, AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE I WAS SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO LOW, KEPT GOING STRAIGHT AND STOPPED BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DEALERSHIP INVOICE REPAIR ORDER # 173761 AND 172562.
NHTSA complaint #705778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNABLE TO STOP CAR WITHOUT PRESSING DOWN WITH BOTH FEET DEALER ADVIASES THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE CADILLAC ALLANTE THE GARAGE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE CAR AND SAID THE REPAIR COULD EASILY BE OVER 2OOO.00 DOLLARS THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS
NHTSA complaint #705516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Galveston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES WENT OUT ABOUT 10 MONTHS AGO. REGULAR BRAKS WORK FINE, BUT ABS BRAKE LIGHTS MESSAGE, THAT THE ABS IS OUT, KEEPS COMING ON MY MESSAGE CENTER. I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE THE ABS DISCONNECTED TWICE, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SYSTEM, AND CANNOT BE DISCONNECTED. ESTIMATES HAVE RANGED FROM $1000 TO $ 1800 TO REPAIR. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN SHORT CHANGED BECAUSE I DRIVE LESS THAN 5000 MILES [ RETIRED] ANNUALLY, AND FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE ABS, AND I CAN'T. I ALSO KNOW THAT MY BRAKING SYSTEM CAN GO OUT AT ANY TIME, SO I EITHER PAY FOR SOMETHING I DON'T NEED, OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #705222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.