VehicleVerdict

1993 Cadillac Fleetwood problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 51 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.3 times the median Fleetwood year — the 1993 model ranks #1 of 22 Fleetwood years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (9), seat belts (9), and engine (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

51

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Fleetwood years?

Fleetwood NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fleetwood years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes918%
Seat Belts918%
Engine48%
Airbags48%
Electrical System48%
Body & Structure36%
Suspension36%
Tires & Wheels36%
Transmission36%
Seats24%
Other24%
Speed Control12%
Lighting12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%
Fuel System12%
Steering12%

Does the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood have recalls?

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

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

94V199000TransmissionOctober 13, 1994 · 403,273 units

Defect

THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF SEPARATION OF THE COUPLING, AN OIL LEAK CAN OCCUR WHICH, WHEN EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE TO THE TRANSAXLE.

93V041000AirbagsMarch 19, 1993 · 37 units

Defect

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAN EXPERIENCE AN INFLATOR IGNITION DELAY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

IF THE INFLATOR IGNITION IS DELAYED IN AN ACCIDENT, THEAIR BAG MAY BE LATE IN DEPLOYING, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TOTHE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT DOES NOT RETRACT. SHOULDER PART OF THE BELT IS HANGING OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE BELT WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 15, 1999

“TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE/POWER SEAT BOLT SECURING SEAT BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH/ REPLACED MICHELIN TIRES, ALSO NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS. *AK*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 27, 1996 · crash

“ALARM WENT OFF AT NIGHT, CONSUMER SHUT ALARM OFF WITH KEY, BACK DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND IN BOTH BACK DOORS. TO DEALER WHO REPLACED ELECTRICAL WIRING IN LEFT REAR DOOR, SAID IT WAS SCORCHED. *AK *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 6, 2001

“VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE MOTOR. *AK THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. HE THEN OBSERVED ABOUT A QUART OF OIL ON THE GROUND. IN HIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 4, 2003 · fire

“THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT THE BANK. UPON PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR THE THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED WITHOUT EVER BEING TOUCHED. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN LOCKED IN A TURNING POSITION. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK, THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND, AND YOU COULD NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE OR CHANGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 3, 1998 · crash

1993 Cadillac Fleetwood — common questions

Is the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 51 complaints put the 1993 model at #1 of 22 Fleetwood years. It is one of the Fleetwood years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Fleetwood problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), seat belts (9 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.