Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood, and it carries 3 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 9 | 20% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 17% |
| Structure | 3 | 7% |
| Suspension | 3 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 7% |
| Power train | 3 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I AM OWNER #2 OF THIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED MAKING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR THE VEHICLE. CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THERE ARE NO NOS PARTS, THE MAIN AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS DO NOT MAKE REPLACEMENTS BE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
AFTER THE CONSUMER SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, WITH HIS LEFT LEG OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AS HE BEGAN TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT BROKE AWAY FROM THE DOOR ASSEMBLY HINGES AND LANDED ON THE CONSUMERS LEG CAUSING INJURY. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure
UPON OPENING THE DOOR IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF, BREAKING THE CONSUMER' S LEG. HOWEVER, CADILLAC WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEAT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY.CADILLAC MANUFACTORY WAS CONTACTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
DRIVER'S SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY WHEN UNBUCKLED. PART WAS REPAIRED 6 MONTHS AGO, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
DASHBOARD HAS NUMEROUS DEEP CRACKS ACROSS ENTIRE SURFACE, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG.*AK *YH
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
CUSTOMER STATES AFTER COMING TO A STOP, LEFT FRONT TIRE COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THE SECOND TIME THE SAME LEFT WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN AND THE SPI
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood. 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.
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 AN
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE TO THE TRANSAXLE.
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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS.
| Reliability raw | 91 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 56 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 9 of them (20%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.