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Cadillac Eldorado — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Cadillac Eldorado model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
35
Years to Avoid
2002, 2001, 2000, 1997
Best Years
1980, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968
2002Avoid
12 complaints0 recalls339 TSBs
2001Avoid
27 complaints0 recalls332 TSBs
2000Avoid
34 complaints1 recalls285 TSBs
1999
29 complaints0 recalls71 TSBs
1998
67 complaints1 recalls70 TSBs
1997Avoid
85 complaints2 recalls2 invest.63 TSBs
1996
90 complaints2 recalls3 invest.49 TSBs
1995
79 complaints2 recalls4 invest.48 TSBs
1994
49 complaints2 recalls2 invest.30 TSBs
1993
53 complaints2 recalls20 TSBs
1992
36 complaints1 recalls10 TSBs
1991
16 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1990
40 complaints4 recalls
1989
11 complaints2 recalls
1988
11 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1987
8 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1986
18 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
1985
12 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1984
8 complaints3 recalls4 invest.
1983
4 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1982
6 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1981
1 complaints1 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1979
1 complaints1 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973
3 complaints1 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Cadillac Eldorado Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2002, 2001, 2000, 1997 Cadillac Eldorado are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Cadillac Eldorado, consider the 1980, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

35 model years analyzed