Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 1991 Cadillac Eldorado — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
16
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5 | 31% | — flat |
| Engine | 3 | 19% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 1 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 6% | — flat |
| Airbags | 1 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 1 | 6% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 1 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 6% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN THE RAIN THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE AND HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NO PRIOR PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM OR AIRBAGS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE…”
“1991 ELDORADO SEAT BELTS ARE UNSAFE. *TS CADILLAC CLAIMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS IN THE COLOR THE CONSUMER NEEDED. *NM UPDATED 12/01/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WENT TO DEALER ON NOV. 5, 2010, AND THE DEALER CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE TO THE VEHICLE, PUTTING IT OUT WITH A FIRE…”
“WHILE DRIVING OWNER SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES, PULLED OVER AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”
The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints), climate control (a/c & heat) (2 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1991 Cadillac Eldorado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
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.