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.
Aug 1998peak 3Jul 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 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
PE97050Opened 19 Dec 1997Closed 29 May 1998STRUCTURE
CONVERTIBLE TOP OPENING WHILE DRIVING
ELECTRICALLY POWERED CONVERTIBLE TOP LATCHES MOUNTED IN THE WINDSHIELD FRAME WORK ARE ALLEGED TO RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP TO VIOLENTL OPEN WHILE DRIVING.
DP97005Opened 14 Nov 1997Closed 23 Dec 1997STRUCTURE
CONVERTIBLE TOP FLY-UP
ALLEGED THAT WILE DRIVING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP UNLATCHED AND FLEW UP. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.IN ADDITION, A SEPARATED TOP IS HAZARDOUS TO NEARBY MOTORIST
Recalls on the 1992 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.
at 86,147 milesAppomattox, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BOSCHE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS ACTIVATED BY A RELAY. THAT AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS, ABOUT THIS SYSTEM, CAN CAUSE THESE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION OR TO FAIL COMPLETELY ANY TIME THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS GENERALLY KNOWN TO ANYONE WHO OWNS ONE OF THESE CARS, AND TO GENERAL MOTORS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION THAT CAN VERY EASILY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO ANYONE CLOSE TO THESE VEHICLES. I WAS BLESSED THAT THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT 65 OR 70 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11113417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,147 milesAppomattox, VA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BOSCHE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS ACTIVATED BY A RELAY. THAT AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS, ABOUT THIS SYSTEM, CAN CAUSE THESE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION OR TO FAIL COMPLETELY ANY TIME THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS GENERALLY KNOWN TO ANYONE WHO OWNS ONE OF THESE CARS, AND TO GENERAL MOTORS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION THAT CAN VERY EASILY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO ANYONE CLOSE TO THESE VEHICLES. I WAS BLESSED THAT THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT 65 OR 70 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11113417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,127 milesFernandina Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY. *JB PH
NHTSA complaint #10017482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sachse, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TOP LATCH MECHANISM FAILED TO HOLD, AS INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA IN PE97-050. CAR HAD BEEN INSPECTED 9/99 AT DEALER, PER CADILLAC SPECIAL POLICY 98045. AT THAT TIME, CAR HAD 35,000 MILES. CAR HAD 46,000 MILES WHEN LATCH DISENGAGED FROM THE WINDSHIELD FRAME. CAR NOW HAS 51,000 MILES. AT TIME OF INCIDENT, LATCH WAS CYCLED TO REENGAGE. CONCERNED ABOUT PERMANENT FIX, DEALER REFERED ME TO CADILLAC. CADILLAC REFERED ME TO DEALER. DEALER'S ORIGINAL INSPECTION PER THE SPECIAL POLICY DID NOT PREVENT THE INCIDENT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO PREVENT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. DT
NHTSA complaint #769000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #763784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle Creek, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #747394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haslett, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SYSTEM WS REPLACED APPROX. RWO THOUSAND MILES AND TWO YEARS AGO. IT HAS NOW FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE CART HAS ONLY 31,000 MILES AND AT LEAST 1/4TH OF THE ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS LEFT. MANUFACTURE CHARGED $200 TOWARDS FIRST FAILURE AND NOW WANTS ME TO PAY HALF OF PART COST AND ALL OF LABOR TO REPLACE A PART WITH ONLY TWO THOUSAND MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #745574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPLETE ABS SYSTEM WAS ACTUALLY REPLACED TWICE ( AGAIN ON 09/22/1999 AT 62,434 MILES ) AS THE UNIT INSTALLED ON 09/17/1999, REPORTED HEREIN, WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. PLEASE ADD THIS COMPLAINT TO YOUR FILES RELATING TO THE CURRENTLY OPEN INVESTIGATION OF THE ALLEGED BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURES ON 1987-1992 CADILLAC ALLANTE ODI ACTION NUMBER: EA99-017.
NHTSA complaint #718799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE ABS AND MASTER CYLINDAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL OWNER ONCE AND MYSELF ONCE AT 3,000 DOLLARS EACH. WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENDED I HAD NO BRAKES AND IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SOMEONE ELSES FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #715966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE ABS AND MASTER CYLINDAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL OWNER ONCE AND MYSELF ONCE AT 3,000 DOLLARS EACH. WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENDED I HAD NO BRAKES AND IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SOMEONE ELSES FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #715966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS COMING ON AND SOMETIMES BRAKES ARE TOO HARD TO STOP WITHOUT PUMPING. DEALER WANTS $5000 TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER BUT ADMITS THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CAR THEY MANUFACTURED AND CAN'T TELL ME WHATS WRONG. I CONTACTED CADILLAC ABOUT THE INCOMPETENCE OF THEIR AGENTS AND THEY REPLYED THAT THE DEALER WAS INDEPENDENT. I CAN'T SPEND $5000 TO FIND OUT IF THIS WILL FIX IT. THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH THEY WANT TO REPLACE HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE IN A 59000 MILE CAR. I BELIEVE THE BRAKES ARE A SAFETY HAZARD ON THESE CARS AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER OUGHT TO HAVE TO REPAIR THEM UNDER A RECALL TO CORRECT THE DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #715002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND APPROXIMATELY 2500 MILES THAT WE HAVE BRAKE FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE ONLY LOST THE ABS -- THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED WITH A CADILLAC RE-MANUFACTURED UNIT. THE 2ND FAILURE WAS TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING -- A DIFFERENT CADILLAC DEALER (JACK WOLF, BELVIDERE, IL) REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AGAIN WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED. THE LAST BRAKING SYSTEM WAS AGAIN A TOTAL FAILURE !!/6/1999. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JACK WOLF , BELVIDERE,IL 11/08/1999. HAVE NOT HEARD STATUS AS OF THIS A.M.
NHTSA complaint #714467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AT 62,000 MILES DUE TO POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #849049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHILE DRIVER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
SAME ABS BRAKE PART REPLACED WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED PART (NO NEW PARTS AVAILABLE) AT AROUND 32,000 MILES AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS THE HYDRAULIC SERVO AND NOTHING TO DO WITH BRAKE PADS OR OTHER BRAKE PARTS THAT CAN WEAR FAST BECAUSE OF DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #710564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE OPENED AN "ENGINEERING ANALYSIS" ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON 1987-1992 CADILLAC ALLANTES. I PURCHASED MY ALLANTE IN NOV 1998, AND A "REMANUFACTURED FOR GM" STICKER IS ON THE FLUID RESERVOIR ON THE MASTER CYLINDER, INDICATING THAT AT SOME POINT THIS COMPONENT HAS BEEN REPLACED. I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY CAR TO YOUR LIST OF ALLANTES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE HIGHLY COMPLICATED SYSTEM FOUND ON THE 87-92 ALLANTE. I HAVE FORWARDED COPIES OF THIS FORM TO TWO ACQUAINTANCES WHO ALSO OWN ALLANTES AND HAVE ALSO HAD ANTILOCK BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS.
NHTSA complaint #709466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleville, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE--NO BRAKING FUNCTION AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #706981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plantation, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
ABS MASTER CYLINDER FAILED RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE PEDAL PRESSURE AND LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #545124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blackwood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES DO NOT STOP CAR PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #705287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylors, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES GO OUT IT IS ALL YOU CAN DO TO STOP THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #700975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKING FUNCTIONS. DEALER DIAGNOSIS AND ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS WAS $3,500.00. I OBTAINED PARTS AND HAD AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACE COMPONENTS. MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME THAT ORIGENAL PARTS HAD " GM REBUILT PART" STICKERS ON THEM. AUTO WAS ORIGONALY OWNED BY A LEASING CO. IN CHICAGO IL. GM WILL NOT FURNISH ME WITH PREVIOUS WARRANTY HISTORY.
NHTSA complaint #702008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eugene, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DEALERS SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 1988 THRU 1992 ALLANTE'S. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ROCK HARD, CAR PULLED TO LEFT AS I PRESSED BRAKES HARDER. IF TURNPIKE SPEEDS HAD BEEN INVOLVED THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL
NHTSA complaint #700529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
THE PROBLEM CONCERNING MY ABS FAILURE TOOK ALMOST 2 MONTHS TO CORRECT WITH REPEATED TRIPS TO & FROM THE DEALER. THEY WOULD TELL ME IT WAS CORRECTED AND I WOULD DRIVE ANYWHERE FROM 2 MILES TO 45 MILES BEFORE THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL. I HAD MANY PHONE CALLS WITH CADILLAC AND A FILE WAS KEPT ON THE PROGRESS AND COMPLAINTS. I INFORMED CADILLAC THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I'LL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP. SINCERELY, SHARON WEBB
NHTSA complaint #700495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS FLOWN OFF SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FASTNERS, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #524764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
MY CONVERTIBLE TOP BLEW BACK; THE JACK SCREWS WHICH HOLD IT DOWN DISENGAGED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #525590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.