Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Cadillac Eldorado, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 13% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 13% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 6% |
| Seats | 2 | 6% |
| Tires | 2 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO HEADLIGHTS WHEN OUT BARELY ABLE TO SEE 5 MINUTES AFTERWARDS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON THINKING THAT I MUST HAVE A WIRE LOOSE CHECK WIRING WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND NO
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BARELY ABLE TO SEE, THEN 5 MINUTES AFTERWARDS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, THINKING THAT I MUST HAVE A WIRE LOOSE SO I CHECKED THE WIRING WHEN I GO
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
IN JUNE OF 2003, I PURCHASED A 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO, THAT WAS A TRADE-IN AT RUDDELL AUTO MALL, IN PORT ANGELES, WA. THIS ELDORADO WAS GIVEN A SERVICE CHECK, BUT ONE FRONT SEAT (DRIVERS SIDE) WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED IN T
NHTSA complaint: Seats
VEHICLE'S FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS CHANGING LANES WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK THE MEDIAN. *SCC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TREAD SPARATED ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE EARLIER IN YEAR AND NOW RIGHT REAR TREAD IS ABOUT TO GO. CAR IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY ON SURFACE ROADS, NOT AT HIGH SPEED. DT
NHTSA complaint: Tires
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND PROBLEM KEPT REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED AND REACHED ABOUT 4,000 RPMS BEFORE CONSUMER HIT BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT VARIOUS TIMES WITH OUT ANY KIND OF WARNI
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1992 Cadillac Eldorado. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO STEERING RACK LOWER COUPLING PINCH BOLT MAY BE MISSING.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND SHAFT DISENGAGEMENT OCCURS, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL PINCH BOLT.
| Reliability raw | 92 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 62 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 5 of them (16%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 92/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.