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 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 7 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 9% |
| Suspension | 5 | 9% |
| Wheels | 4 | 7% |
| Structure | 4 | 7% |
| Steering | 3 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 5% |
| Visibility | 3 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
STRONG GASOLINE FUMES NOTED WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM ONE OF THE FUE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. SHE ALSO SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TWO TIRES CONTINUE TO LOSE AIR. I FINALLY WENT TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT THE RIM WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE RIM FROM OXIDATION. THE CHROME WAS PEELING
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO HE COULD SMELL GAS, SO HE TOOK IT TO PEP BOYS. AT PEP BOYS THEY STATED THAT THE PLASTIC PART OF THE FUEL RAIL HAD SEVERAL PINHOLES IN IT AND WAS SP
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
STARTING WITH DIC MESSAGE OF "LOW COOLANT", I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. AFTER THE CADILLAC DEALER IN DURANGO COLORADO WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM ( REPLACED HOSES, WATER PUMP), MY MECHANIC (IN ALB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB *NM
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSES AND LIMOUSINES. THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES WAS MISROUTED.
Risk: THE HARNESS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE LINKAGE PREVENTING RETURN TO A CLOSED THROTTLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE HARNESS, CORRECT AS NECESSARY, AND INSTALL A PLASTIC TIE STRAP TO THE HARNESS.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 7 of them (13%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 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 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.