FaultScore

FaultScore report

1993 Cadillac Fleetwood problems

Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.

F

FaultScore 83/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Cadillac Fleetwood.

How this is worked out

The numbers

51

Complaints

10

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

8

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 73 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 73
Against the median year of the Cadillac Fleetwood. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
39.2% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1993 compares with every other Cadillac Fleetwood

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 9 17.6%
Brakes 9 17.6%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Airbags 4 7.8%

4 crashes, 0 fires

Electrical System 4 7.8%
Engine & Cooling 4 7.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 129,000 mi

Tires 3 5.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Suspension 3 5.9%
Body & Structure 3 5.9%

Median failure at 109,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 5.9%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 93,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 2 3.9%
Seats 2 3.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.0%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.0%
Lights 1 2.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 1 2.0%

Exactly what failed

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.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 7 28.0%
Retractor 6 24.0%
Frontal 3 12.0%
Lower Ball Joint 2 8.0%
Tread/Belt 2 8.0%
Gasoline 2 8.0%
Hinge AND Attachments 2 8.0%
AIR Conditioner 1 4.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 50.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 25.0%
150,000+ miles 1 25.0%

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.

Feb 1995 peak 5 Nov 2014

Recalls on the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood

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

07E088000

EQUIPMENT

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

94V199000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF SEPARATION OF THE COUPLING, AN OIL LEAK CAN OCCUR WHICH, WHEN EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

93V041000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAN EXPERIENCE AN INFLATOR IGNITION DELAY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk: IF THE INFLATOR IGNITION IS DELAYED IN AN ACCIDENT, THEAIR BAG MAY BE LATE IN DEPLOYING, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TOTHE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1994051 71,790 units in Canada

Powertrain

THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE COULD PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS COUPLING WERE TO SEPARATE, TRANSAXLE OIL WOULD SPILL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Pensacola, FL 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

UPON OPENING THE DOOR IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF, BREAKING THE CONSUMER' S LEG. HOWEVER, CADILLAC WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10108955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Pensacola, FL 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

AFTER THE CONSUMER SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, WITH HIS LEFT LEG OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AS HE BEGAN TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT BROKE AWAY FROM THE DOOR ASSEMBLY HINGES AND LANDED ON THE CONSUMERS LEG CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #10108713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Castile, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE MOTOR. *AK THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. HE THEN OBSERVED ABOUT A QUART OF OIL ON THE GROUND. IN HIS OPINION, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO COME APART AND RUN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. *PH. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #10022553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Castile, NY Fire

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE MOTOR. *AK THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. HE THEN OBSERVED ABOUT A QUART OF OIL ON THE GROUND. IN HIS OPINION, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO COME APART AND RUN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. *PH. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #10022553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor, SC Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS REARENDED BY A VEHICLE THAT WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. AT IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS FELL INTO A RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING BACK INJURIES. BOTH PASSENGERS HAD SEATBELTS ON. *AK BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #878105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor, SC Crash 4 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

CONSUMER WAS REARENDED BY A VEHICLE THAT WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. AT IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS FELL INTO A RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING BACK INJURIES. BOTH PASSENGERS HAD SEATBELTS ON. *AK BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #878105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 165,000 miles Peoria, AZ

ENGINE

I AM OWNER #2 OF THIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED MAKING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR THE VEHICLE. CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THERE ARE NO NOS PARTS, THE MAIN AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS DO NOT MAKE REPLACEMENTS BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE PROFITABLE TO DO SO. THE USED PART RECYCLERS IN MY AREA EITHER DO NOT HAVE THE PART OR MISREPRESENT THE PART CLAIMING IT IS FOR A FUEL INJECTED ENGINE WHEN IT IS CLEARLY FOR A CARBURETED ENGINE. THIS IS BOGUS, THE CAR RUNS BEAUTIFULLY, OR DID UNTIL THIS OCCURRED, AND NOW BECAUSE I CANNOT GET THIS ONE PART, THE CAR ENDS UP IN A JUNKYARD. PITIFUL AND WASTEFUL, SHAME ON GM/CADILLAC.

NHTSA complaint #10652198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

UPON OPENING THE DOOR IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF, BREAKING THE CONSUMER' S LEG. HOWEVER, CADILLAC WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10108955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Pensacola, FL 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

AFTER THE CONSUMER SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, WITH HIS LEFT LEG OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AS HE BEGAN TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT BROKE AWAY FROM THE DOOR ASSEMBLY HINGES AND LANDED ON THE CONSUMERS LEG CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #10108713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Castile, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE MOTOR. *AK THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. HE THEN OBSERVED ABOUT A QUART OF OIL ON THE GROUND. IN HIS OPINION, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO COME APART AND RUN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. *PH. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #10022553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Castile, NY Fire

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE MOTOR. *AK THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. HE THEN OBSERVED ABOUT A QUART OF OIL ON THE GROUND. IN HIS OPINION, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO COME APART AND RUN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. *PH. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #10022553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lawrenceburg, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MR

NHTSA complaint #768439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elgin, IL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEAT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY.CADILLAC MANUFACTORY WAS CONTACTED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8019799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stockton, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CUSTOMER STATES CAR DIES WHEN TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP, CAR ALSOVERY HARD TO RESTART, MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING.

NHTSA complaint #563781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stockton, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CUSTOMER STATES AFTER COMING TO A STOP, LEFT FRONT TIRE COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THE SECOND TIME THE SAME LEFT WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN AND THE SPINDLE WAS DAMAGED.

NHTSA complaint #563781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Princeton, NJ

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER'S SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY WHEN UNBUCKLED. PART WAS REPAIRED 6 MONTHS AGO, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8007694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Princeton, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD HAS NUMEROUS DEEP CRACKS ACROSS ENTIRE SURFACE, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8007698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stockton, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CUSTOMER STATES CAR DIES WHEN TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP, CAR ALSOVERY HARD TO RESTART, MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING.

NHTSA complaint #563781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stockton, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CUSTOMER STATES AFTER COMING TO A STOP, LEFT FRONT TIRE COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THE SECOND TIME THE SAME LEFT WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN AND THE SPINDLE WAS DAMAGED.

NHTSA complaint #563781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

St.louis, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ALARM WENT OFF AT NIGHT, CONSUMER SHUT ALARM OFF WITH KEY, BACK DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND IN BOTH BACK DOORS. TO DEALER WHO REPLACED ELECTRICAL WIRING IN LEFT REAR DOOR, SAID IT WAS SCORCHED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #885750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

St.louis, MO

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

ALARM WENT OFF AT NIGHT, CONSUMER SHUT ALARM OFF WITH KEY, BACK DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND IN BOTH BACK DOORS. TO DEALER WHO REPLACED ELECTRICAL WIRING IN LEFT REAR DOOR, SAID IT WAS SCORCHED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #885750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bristol, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #743001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNK, UN

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RETRACT AND SECURE THE BELT. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #557711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor, SC Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS REARENDED BY A VEHICLE THAT WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. AT IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS FELL INTO A RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING BACK INJURIES. BOTH PASSENGERS HAD SEATBELTS ON. *AK BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #878105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor, SC Crash 4 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

CONSUMER WAS REARENDED BY A VEHICLE THAT WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. AT IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS FELL INTO A RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING BACK INJURIES. BOTH PASSENGERS HAD SEATBELTS ON. *AK BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #878105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shalimar, FL

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONSUMERWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 75MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDERS, AND RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. TOYO, P225/75R15 800PLUS SERIES, DOT CXR318V276. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK TOYO PAID IN FULL AND THE CUSTOMER STATES THAT TOYO WAS FAIR AND RESPONSIBLE NO FARTHER CLAIM.

NHTSA complaint #875243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Damville, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE DRIVER SEATBELT WONT RETRACT DUE TO THE RETRACTOR BEING INOPERATIVE WHICH WONT PROPERLY RESTRAINT THE DRIVER IN EVENT OF A CRASH WHICH MAY LEAD TO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #864928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hales Corners, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY HOLDER CABLE DISCONNECTED, CAUSING ACID TO LEAK FROM THE BATTERY. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AT CONUMSER'S COST. PROLBEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #864139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alhambra, CA

SEAT BELTS

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT MECHANISM SPRING DISINTEGRATED IN THE HOUSING, CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. CURRENTLY, PASSENGER'S SEATBELT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #860108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hunt, TX

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

A DESIGN FLAW CAUSED SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR TO FAIL. YH

NHTSA complaint #551077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, TN Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION HITTING A BRICK WALL IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S/ OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #857538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.