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 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Cadillac Eldorado, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 16 | 20% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 18% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 11% |
| Steering | 7 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4% |
| Suspension | 3 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Interior lighting | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. TH
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPART
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI BRAKING SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR WHEN SHE TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH INTO THE RUN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY VEHICLE STARTED STALLING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, IT WOULD SUDDENLY JUST CUT OFF AS IF THE GAS WAS NO LONGER FUELING THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD STOP AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN FOR ABOUT AND HOUR. AFTER STARTING IT WOULD RUN F
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO TOURING COUPE (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER AND THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN IN TRAFFIC *TGW THE DEALER REPLACED THE OIL SENDER, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IDLE WAS BELOW FACTORY SPECS. THE DEALER INFOR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE PULLED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TH
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL # 04V110000, FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE, DELIVERY HOSES, LINES, PIPING, AND FITTINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN 2008, THE FUEL LEA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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.
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2
THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| 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 79 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 16 of them (20%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 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 67/100. 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.