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.
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.
Jun 1995peak 4Sep 2001
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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 1988 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 198806320 units in Canada
Fuel System
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301-FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE IN THE FUEL CAP ON AFFECTED VEHICLES MIGHT STICK DURING THE "TURN TO VENT" FUNCTION, CAUSING THE VALVE TO REMAIN OPEN. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SOME LOSS OF LIQUID FUEL SHOULD THE VEHICLE BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IMPACT. FUEL SPILLAGE DURING AND AFTER A COLLISION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL CAPS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Shelbyville, INCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVE THAT THE BRAKES JUST TOTALLY STOP WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY PATTERN. A TELEPHONE POLE WAS HIT ONCE CAUSING THE DAMAGE LISTED THE LAST INSTANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT OF INJURY OR DAMAGE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE
NHTSA complaint #709165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Arlington, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES WITH NO POWER ASSIST. BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD. ABS WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED. VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO STOP. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. HAD VEHICLE WORKED ON, BUT BRAKING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR BLOCK AND RELAY NEEDED REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #896805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carleton, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #9001608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Layton, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #723879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hillsboro, OR
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DUE TO SUN LIGHT PLASTIC HOUSING OF SEATBELTS THEY HAVE CRACKED . INTERNAL PARTS WITHIN SEATBELTS ASSEMLBY HAVE FAILED DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #862773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kannapolis, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING STEPPED ON THE BRAKES PEDAL AND IT FELT HARD. THEN, TOOK IT FOR REPAIRS ,AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. , RECENTLY, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING ON TIME.
NHTSA complaint #857519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kannapolis, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE DRIVING STEPPED ON THE BRAKES PEDAL AND IT FELT HARD. THEN, TOOK IT FOR REPAIRS ,AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. , RECENTLY, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING ON TIME.
NHTSA complaint #857519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maryland Hts., MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY 1988 CADILLAC ALLANTE HAS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD MUCH DIFFICULTY WITH THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS CAR AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE BOSCH ABS III SYSTEM HAS MANY COMPONENTS THAT APPEAR PRONE TO FAILURE AND I HOPE THAT THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED BY CADILLAC BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. LUCKILY, MY BRAKE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED CLOSE TO HOME AND THERE HAS BEEN NO LOSS OF LIFE OR PROPERTY DUE TO MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY. I PRAY THAT NOBODY DIES FROM THE DEFECTS IN THIS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #718765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Vienna, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED A MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR ON THE MESSAGE CENTER(ANIT LOCK BRAKES DISABLED). ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, DRIVER PUSHED ON THE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED DURING A HARD BRAKING STOP. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND DRY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC RECENTLY. MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #855866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maryland Heights, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM HAS BEEN NON-FUNCTIONAL FOR TWO YEARS, BUT THE NORMAL BRAKING WAS FINE. THEN LAST WEEK AS I PULLED INTO MY PARKING LOT I COULD ONLY BARELY BRING THE CAR TO A STOP WITH THE MIGHTIEST LEG. PRESS I COULD MUSTER. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ABS PUMP WAS RUNNING AND BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE. NOW THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY NO BRAKES AT ALL SO THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE. THE ABS PROBLEM WITH THE CADILLAC ALLANTE HAS BECOME ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH ITS OWNERS WHO HAVE SPENT MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN EFFORTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. PLEASE MAKE THE EFFORT TO PROMOTE A RECALL OF THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION SO THAT THE OWNERS OF THESE AMERICAN PRODUCTS CAN CONTINUE TO BE SAFE ON THE ROADS. THANK YOU, JAMES A. PETTERCHAK, M.D.
NHTSA complaint #715458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Storrs MAN, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, OWNER DISABLED THE SYSTEM, HOWEVER WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ALLANTE HAD ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PROBLEMS WHEN PURCHASED. PROBLEM NEVER REPORTED TIL PRESENT.AK
NHTSA complaint #714945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE "ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DISABLED " MESSAGE IS DISPLATED FREQUENTLY WHEN BRAKING.WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS FUNNY AND ACTS WEIRD .I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER ALLENTE OWNERS AND UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER ALLENTES AND THAT CADILLAC WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP OR CORRECT.
NHTSA complaint #714776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelbyville, INCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVE THAT THE BRAKES JUST TOTALLY STOP WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY PATTERN. A TELEPHONE POLE WAS HIT ONCE CAUSING THE DAMAGE LISTED THE LAST INSTANCE WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT OF INJURY OR DAMAGE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE
NHTSA complaint #709165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #708911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steamboat Springs, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EVERYTIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHT GOES ON AND MESSAGE ANTI-LOCK DISABLED APPEARS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO CADILLAC DEALER THEY TOLD ME COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $4,500 PLUS. HOWEVER, I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER ALLANTE OWNERS THAT AFTER REPLACING WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY TO REOCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #706841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Storrs MAN, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCE FAILURE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #545515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ABS LIGHT STAYS ON 85% OF THE TIME REAR BRAKES RATTLE NUEISENCE BUT BRAKES ALWAYS SEEM TO WORK. FOUND YOUR NOTICE ON THE ALLANTE.WEB
NHTSA complaint #706081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Forks, ND
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH TO COME ON WHENEVER I TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ANTILOCK IS DISABLED BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT, AND AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS, THE PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM WILL BUILD TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL, AND THE ANTILOCK WILL PERFORM A SELF CHECK AND START WORKING. THE SELF CHECK CAUSES THE PEDAL TO CHATTER, AND ALL THE BRAKES TO MOMENTARILY RELEASE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD WHEN YOU EXPECT IT TO BE SLOWING DOWN... -- THE PARTS ASSOCIATED ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE - $350 FOR THE ACCUMULATOR, AND $1600 FOR THE SENSOR BLOCK.
NHTSA complaint #705697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White Rock. BC V4B3B9, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #705211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Derby, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #703975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
RECENTLY PURCHASED USED ALLANTE. THE ABS SYSTEM DISABLED KEEPS OCCURRING ON THE DIC. ALTHOUGH THE MANUAL BRAKES ARE WORKING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ABS ON THESE CARS. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED & REPAIRED BY THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #701206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseland, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN HIS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PUMP FAILED CAUSING HIM TO HAVE NO BRAKES. TT
NHTSA complaint #966696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.