Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 1982 Cadillac Eldorado — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
6
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 2 | 33% | new |
| Transmission | 2 | 33% | new |
| Engine | 1 | 17% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 1 | 17% | new |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE FUEL FILTERS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECT THREADED FITTING. THE INCORRECT FITTING IS SIMILIAR ENOUGH IN SIZE THAT THE FUEL FILTER MAY APPEAR TO BE CORRECTLY THREADED ONTO THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence
REPLACE THE FILTERS WITH THE CORRECT FILTERS.
Remedy
THE IMPROPER THREADING COULD CAUSE A GASOLINE LEAK WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Defect
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES CONTAIN INCORRECT ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKETS. THIS COULD ALLOW THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO ROD TO BIND ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT CABLE BRACKET WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER. VEHICLES WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL WILL ALSO BE MODIFIED IN THE EVENT THAT CRUISE CONTROL IS LATER ADDED.
Defect
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT RETAINER IN THE INJECTION PUMP MAY FAIL. THE THROTTLE VALVE COULD STICK, PREVENTING RETURN TO IDLE AND SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE BY THE DRIVER.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE INJECTION PUMP AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 TO 40 MPH AND WITHOUT NO PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED OUT. THE THIRD TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK”
“I BOUGHT CLEAR FLOOR MATS FOR MY CAR, BRAND = KRAGAN 8826 FLOOR MAT CLEAR - MODEL NO = PA 6212492. THE FLOOR MAT IS VERY SLIPERY ON THE CAR CARPET. IT DOES NOT GRIP TO THE FLOOR. YOU CAN EASILY SLIP AND FALL WHILE GETING IN THE CAR SINCE FLOOR MAT SKIDS EASILY. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.…”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 TO 40 MPH AND WITHOUT NO PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED OUT. THE THIRD TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK”
The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 Cadillac Eldorado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Eldorado years to avoid are 1996, 1997, 1995, 1998, 1993, 1994, 1990, 1992, 2000. The cleanest record among Eldorado years belongs to 1980.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.