VehicleVerdict

1987 Cadillac Eldorado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Eldorado years?

Eldorado NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted90 complaints1968: 0 complaints1973: 3 complaints1977: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 6 complaints1983: 4 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 12 complaints1986: 18 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 11 complaints1989: 11 complaints1990: 40 complaints1991: 16 complaints1992: 36 complaints1993: 53 complaints1994: 49 complaints1995: 79 complaints1996: 90 complaints1997: 85 complaints1998: 67 complaints1999: 29 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 27 complaints2002: 12 complaints
Eldorado NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eldorado years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Cadillac Eldorado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine225%
Steering225%
Brakes113%
Electrical System113%
Lighting113%
Tires & Wheels113%

Does the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

87V047000LightingApril 6, 1987 · 56,783 units

Defect

THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL POTENTIOMETER (THUMBWHEEL CONTROL) MIGHT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

WITH THE TWILIGHT SENTINEL SYSTEM ON, THE INTERMITTENTCIRCUIT COULD CAUSE HEADLIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TO GO OUT. SUDDENLOSS OF HEADLIGHTS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY AND MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW PART IN ONE OF THE VEHICLES CONTROL COMPUTERS TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION FROM OCCURING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR HAD CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP THE CAR WOULD ACTUALLY JUMP AND BOUNCE AND BECOME DANGEROUSLY UNCONTROLLABLE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO PAUL WILLIAMS TIRE COMPANY ON LAKE STREET IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN, BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM SUCH AS SHOCKS, ETC.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2000

“DASH LIGHT FLASHES OFF AND ON, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE TAIL LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS ALSO FLASH OFF AND ON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting

1987 Cadillac Eldorado — common questions

Is the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac Eldorado years should you avoid?

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.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.