1990 Cadillac Eldorado recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE FRONT OUTER SHOULDER BELT WEB SEW STOP CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. THE BELT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR AND SOME OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FASTEN THE BELT.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIR RESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ELDORADO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V110000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Summary: THE FRONT OUTER SHOULDER BELT WEB SEW STOP CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. THE BELT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR AND SOME OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FASTEN THE BELT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIR RESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SHOULDER BELTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; ORCADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. MISALIGNED REAR SEAT SAFETY BELT SHOULDER RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES COULD CAUSE PENDULUM INTERFERENCE, CAUSING THE BELT TO REMAIN IN LOCKED POSITION OR TO TRAVEL FREELY WITHOUT LOCKING.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A PANIC STOP OR ACCIDENT, IF THE BELT RETRACTOR INERTIA LOCK DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY.
The fix: REALIGN REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ELDORADO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V028000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Summary: MISALIGNED REAR SEAT SAFETY BELT SHOULDER RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES COULD CAUSE PENDULUM INTERFERENCE, CAUSING THE BELT TO REMAIN IN LOCKED POSITION OR TO TRAVEL FREELY WITHOUT LOCKING.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A PANIC STOP OR ACCIDENT, IF THE BELT RETRACTOR INERTIA LOCK DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY.
Remedy: REALIGN REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY.
Notes: SYSTEM: REAR SEAT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
3. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
What could happen: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASESTO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ELDORADO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90E043004.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Consequence: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASESTO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
Notes: NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN WAS INITIATED BY TRW, INC., MANUFACTURER OF THE AIR BAG MODULE SYSTEM: AIR BAG MODULES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER SIDE SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG MODULES.
4. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FROM THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL WITH LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
What could happen: DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL GEARPOSITION THE TRANSAXLE IS IN, WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENTAND AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The fix: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO PREVENT CABLE DISENGAGEMENT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ELDORADO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V164000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
Summary: TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FROM THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL WITH LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Consequence: DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL GEARPOSITION THE TRANSAXLE IS IN, WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENTAND AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO PREVENT CABLE DISENGAGEMENT.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRANSAXLE; SHIFT CONTROL CABLE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Cadillac Eldorado owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (8), Brakes (6), Airbags (6), Engine (5), Hydraulic (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/20/2004 · Fuel system
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
03/25/2004 · Electrical system · fire
CAR HEATER STOPPED WORKING 7 DAYS LATER STATED WORKING THAT DAY STARTED ON FIRE TOTAL LOSS
04/30/2003 · Engine
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
08/12/2002 · Electrical system
CAR WAS IDLING IN MY YARD FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH FILLED THE INTERRIOR OF THE CAR WITH SMOKE. AFTER RAISING THE HOOD (THE FIRE WAS OUT) THE AIR FILTER BOX AND ASSEMBLY TO THE INTAKE WERE MELTED, AS WERE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE AND THE WIRING HARNESS DIRECTLY BELOW THESE ITEMS. I AM WON…
06/27/2001 · Electrical system
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. DEALER STATED THAT COUMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
06/27/2001 · Electrical system
WITHOUT ANY INDICATION HEADLIGHTS/DASH BOARD INDICATION LIGHTS WOULD CUT OFF AND VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. DEALER STATED ANTI- THEFT WAS LOCKED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
06/27/2001 · Equipment
WHILE USING AIR CONDITIONER WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR WOULD STOP BLOWING . DEALER REPLACED AIR CONDITIONER 3 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
06/27/2001 · Brakes
WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK