Most common 1998 Cadillac Eldorado problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac Eldorado complaints by model year
Best Eldorado years: 1995, 1999, 2002. Compare all years →
1998 Cadillac Eldorado recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, hearses and limousines. The canister purge evaporative emissions harness on these vehicles was misrouted.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper routing of the harness, correct as necessary, and install a plastic tie strap to the harness.
What 1998 Cadillac Eldorado owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
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 without warning. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 8-450-4863293. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
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 spraying a mist of fuel onto the number eight spark plug. The plastic tubing had to be replaced. The failure mileage was 94000. The contact can provide a copy of the invoice repair if needed. Updated 2/16/2007 - the technician informed the consumer of a recall related to this problem. The technician then contacted the manufacturer and was told that the consumer vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
Brakes
While applying the brakes suddenly in heavy traffic on I-95 the brakes failed. The brake pedal went completly to the floor and provided no braking capability. Brake fluid was released into the engine compartment and smoke was released. The emergency brake was used to get the car to the nearest dealership. Both brake lines had reptured (front and rear). Parts were $130 and labor was $497. Cadillac customer service refused to reimburse me for any of the costs for the repairs because of the out or warranty period.
While driving the brakes activated although the driver did not press the brake pedal. The vehicle was repaired and the problem has not returned. The consumer requested reimbursement but was denied because the vehicle was out of warranty. The traction control sensor was rewired. There was a rattle in the rear of the vehicle while driving over bumps. The dealer replaced the front stabilizer links. The dealer also replaced the ebtcm.
Engine & cooling
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 albuquerque)found a cracked head that was leaking coolant internaly. Fixed the head, but now the head bolt holes stripped. Used oversized helicoils , but block material still to soft and cannot torque down the head bolts without pulling helicoils. Aluminum metal got to soft and have to replace the engine. This engin only has 82K+ miles and should not be doing this. Aluminium for block/head materia is stupidity. Weight savings cannot be that much to have shorter life of an engine.l
When the vehicle came to a stop, the engine stalled, which resulted in loss of power steering, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
1998 Cadillac Eldorado engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Eldorado rates average: 13% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Eldorado at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado?
The fuel & propulsion system — 5 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about fuel injection system › fuel rail. Next are the brakes (4) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado, the most recent from October 27, 1997 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac Eldorado?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 1999 and 2002. See the full Cadillac Eldorado years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Cadillac Eldorado problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 87,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.