VehicleVerdict

1986 Cadillac Fleetwood problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Fleetwood years?

Fleetwood NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted51 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 1 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 17 complaints1986: 10 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 4 complaints1989: 16 complaints1990: 22 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 13 complaints1993: 51 complaints1994: 27 complaints1995: 22 complaints1996: 39 complaints1998: 4 complaints
Fleetwood NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fleetwood years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System330%
Fuel System220%
Speed Control110%
Tires & Wheels110%
Visibility & Wipers110%
Seat Belts110%
Engine110%

Does the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood have recalls?

5 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).

90V093000OtherMay 9, 1990 · 544 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.

Consequence

VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.

Remedy

ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.

90V050000Seat BeltsMarch 6, 1990 · 223 units

Defect

SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.

Consequence

LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.

Remedy

INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.

86V056000LightingApril 28, 1986 · 93,317 units

Defect

THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

86V036000Electrical SystemMarch 6, 1986 · 8,667 units

Defect

A WIRING HARNESS LOCATED UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED IN ITS RETAINER AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR LEVER. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED (IDLE) POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, AND RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

SECURE WIRING IN ITS RETAINER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I CHANGE IT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT FEELS LIKE IS STILL ACCELERATING AND WANTS TO GO FASTER. I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS REASON. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHANGING GEAR ANYMORE AND THIS VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 17, 2005 · crash

“MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I CHANGE IT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT FEELS LIKE IS STILL ACCELERATING AND WANTS TO GO FASTER. I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS REASON. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHANGING GEAR ANYMORE AND THIS VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 17, 2005 · crash

“VEHICLE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR WATER LEAK AT WINDSHIELD, AFTER THE WINDSHEILD WAS REMOVED, ADVANCED RUST WAS FOUND IN THE PINCHWELD AREA, PARTICULARLY ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, OWNER ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. CJ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

“MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I CHANGE IT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT FEELS LIKE IS STILL ACCELERATING AND WANTS TO GO FASTER. I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS REASON. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHANGING GEAR ANYMORE AND THIS VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 17, 2005 · crash

“WHEN THE CAR IS OVER 60MHR IT TURNES OFF, ALSO MOST OF THE TIME IT TURNES OFF WHEN IT IS VEARY HOT OUT SIDE AND WHEN I WANT TO TERN IT ON AGAIN IT GO LIKE ABOUT 30SEC ON THEN IT TURNES OFF AGAIN. SOMETIMES WHEN I LET IT OFF FOR LIKE ABOUT AN HOUR IT TURNS ON AGAIN AND SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN OFF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

1986 Cadillac Fleetwood — common questions

Is the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Fleetwood problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (3 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints), tires & wheels (1 complaints).

Does the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac Fleetwood years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Fleetwood years to avoid are 1993, 1996. The cleanest record among Fleetwood years belongs to 1982.

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.