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.
Nov 1998peak 5Feb 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 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 1989 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.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Saint Louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THEN, DRIVER PUMPED THE BRAKES THREE TIMES TO STOP. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, BUT A SOLUTION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10111643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A DELAY IN SHIFTING.
NHTSA complaint #567878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP, ALSO THE ABS LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #567878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP, ALSO THE ABS LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #567878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN IS INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #567878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tremonton, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EVERY ALLANTE OWNER SEEMS TO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. DT
NHTSA complaint #768824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8018506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKES, THEN THE ABS PUMP STARTED AND BRAKES RETURNED. THE BRAKE SYSTEMS HAS BECOME UNRELIABLE. REAR BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL (CALIPERS FROZEN), AND ACCUMULATOR REPLACEMENT RETURNED NORMAL FUNCTION FOR LESS THAN 12 HOURS.
NHTSA complaint #759981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davenport, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 70 AND APPLYING BRAKES, THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCUMULATOR, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8004323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT ABOUT 25 MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND.THEN, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD, GOT OUT, AND NOTICED BRAKE FLIUD ON THE GOUND. MECHANIC DETERMINED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #899739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
UNDERSTAND YOU ARE REVIEWING ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILURE ON THIS CAR. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FAILURES ,18 INJURIES AND ONE DEATH FROM THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #750542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EBCM FAILED, ANTILOCK SYSTEM INACTIVE, POOR BRAKING ABILITY AS ANTILOCK SYSTEM GOES NUTS FOR THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING,WENT TO DEALER TO REPLACE EBCM, PART NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE FROM GMC. MY CAR IS NOW A SAFETY HAZARD. GM SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUCH A VITAL PART RELATED TO THE SAFTEY OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #743542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
EBCM FAILED, ANTILOCK SYSTEM INACTIVE, POOR BRAKING ABILITY AS ANTILOCK SYSTEM GOES NUTS FOR THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING,WENT TO DEALER TO REPLACE EBCM, PART NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE FROM GMC. MY CAR IS NOW A SAFETY HAZARD. GM SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUCH A VITAL PART RELATED TO THE SAFTEY OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #743542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terrell, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OUR 1989 & 1990 HAVE THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM OUTLINED WITHIN 70% OF THE COMPLAINTS ON YOUR DEFECTS INVESTIGATION DATABASE. WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF YOUR INVESTIGATIONS THERIEN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #725688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM LEAD TO COMPLETE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE BOSCH III ABS BRAKE SYTEMS. ODI ACTION NUMBER EA99-017.
NHTSA complaint #723877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 55 MPH ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. UPON APPLYING BRAKES, DRIVER HAD TO PUSH ON THE PEDAL REALLY HARD, AND PULL UP STEERING BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERHIP, WHERE THE ABS PUMP AND RELAY WERE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #859076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suffolk, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS ARNING LIGHT AND COMPUTER FEEDBACK CONTINUOUS TO FAIL. VERY POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN AND GMC SHOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #718732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pound Ridge, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, NO PRESSURE, REQUIRED TOTAL REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #718471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS IS A INTERMITTENT ABS FAILURE. BRAKES STILL STOP CAR, BUT, NO ABS.
NHTSA complaint #716636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lonbeach, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #715293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH WITH MY DAUGHTER ON OCTOBER 24, 1999 TRAVELLING ABOUT 35 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOUT 70 F. AS I APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN AS USUAL, BUT SUDDENLY PUSHED MY FOOT UP AND BRAKING EFFECT BECAME NOTICEABLE LESS. FORTUNATELY, ON SUNDAY THERE IS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AT THIS INTERSECTION, BUT WITH MORE A USUAL TRAFFIC PATTERN I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. AT THE TIME OF THE BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT LIT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALONG WITH THE LIGHT BEHIND THE CHECK INFORMATION CENTER AREA ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER PANEL DISPLAYED "ANTI-LOCK DISABLED" FOLLOWED IN A FEW SECONDS BY "ANTI-LOCK OK". A SIMILAR SEQUENCE OF EVENTS RECURRED AS I DROVE THE CAR HOME SLOWLY. I CONTACTED GARY AT 1-800-ALLANTE WHO INFORMED ME THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF ANTI-LOCK FAILURES ON ALLANTES BUT HAS NOT "OPENED A CAMPAIGN". HE TOLD ME HE WAS "NOT ALLOWED" TO SAY ANYTHING FURTHER OTHER THAN TO CONTACT MY DEALER. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM BEING ISOLATED TO THE ANTI-LOCK PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #714755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Louis, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH WITH MY DAUGHTER ON OCTOBER 24, 1999 TRAVELLING ABOUT 35 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOUT 70 F. AS I APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN AS USUAL, BUT SUDDENLY PUSHED MY FOOT UP AND BRAKING EFFECT BECAME NOTICEABLE LESS. FORTUNATELY, ON SUNDAY THERE IS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AT THIS INTERSECTION, BUT WITH MORE A USUAL TRAFFIC PATTERN I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. AT THE TIME OF THE BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT LIT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALONG WITH THE LIGHT BEHIND THE CHECK INFORMATION CENTER AREA ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER PANEL DISPLAYED "ANTI-LOCK DISABLED" FOLLOWED IN A FEW SECONDS BY "ANTI-LOCK OK". A SIMILAR SEQUENCE OF EVENTS RECURRED AS I DROVE THE CAR HOME SLOWLY. I CONTACTED GARY AT 1-800-ALLANTE WHO INFORMED ME THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF ANTI-LOCK FAILURES ON ALLANTES BUT HAS NOT "OPENED A CAMPAIGN". HE TOLD ME HE WAS "NOT ALLOWED" TO SAY ANYTHING FURTHER OTHER THAN TO CONTACT MY DEALER. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM BEING ISOLATED TO THE ANTI-LOCK PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #714755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Louis, MO
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH WITH MY DAUGHTER ON OCTOBER 24, 1999 TRAVELLING ABOUT 35 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOUT 70 F. AS I APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN AS USUAL, BUT SUDDENLY PUSHED MY FOOT UP AND BRAKING EFFECT BECAME NOTICEABLE LESS. FORTUNATELY, ON SUNDAY THERE IS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AT THIS INTERSECTION, BUT WITH MORE A USUAL TRAFFIC PATTERN I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. AT THE TIME OF THE BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT LIT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALONG WITH THE LIGHT BEHIND THE CHECK INFORMATION CENTER AREA ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER PANEL DISPLAYED "ANTI-LOCK DISABLED" FOLLOWED IN A FEW SECONDS BY "ANTI-LOCK OK". A SIMILAR SEQUENCE OF EVENTS RECURRED AS I DROVE THE CAR HOME SLOWLY. I CONTACTED GARY AT 1-800-ALLANTE WHO INFORMED ME THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF ANTI-LOCK FAILURES ON ALLANTES BUT HAS NOT "OPENED A CAMPAIGN". HE TOLD ME HE WAS "NOT ALLOWED" TO SAY ANYTHING FURTHER OTHER THAN TO CONTACT MY DEALER. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM BEING ISOLATED TO THE ANTI-LOCK PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #714755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE TRAVELING SLOW THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE EVENTUALY CRUISED ITSELF TO A STOP. NO DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #851597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #713814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.