Most common 1999 Cadillac Eldorado problems
Share of the 12 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 →
What 1999 Cadillac Eldorado owners say
Engine & cooling
My wife purchased a 1999 Cadillac Eldorado in 2009 and it only had 38K miles on it. Now in 2016 it only has 103K miles on it but while driving the engine coolant temperature gauge will frequently go from 'normal' to 'engine hot - A/C off'. After shuting off the engine, letting it cool, and topping off the coolant level, the will operate in the 'normal' temperature range for several miles but then it will suddenly jump up to the 'engine hot - A/C off' range. The car is now at a repair shop and they have diagnosed that this 1999 Cadillac Eldorado has failing cylinder head gaskets. Recall - campaign #99086 (March 19, 2002) acknowledges this defect and the reasons for it. Will Cadillac please help us with this problem? A 103,000 mile Cadillac Eldorado should not have this issue and, if it does, the manufacturer should take responsibility.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Eldorado. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and found that the water pump and the over pipe gasket were leaking. They replaced the water pump, the over pipe gasket and the thermostat but the failure continued to recur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated they were unable to find the problem for the failure and to take the vehicle to another mechanic to get a second opinion. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 184,320.
Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Eldorado. The contact stated while driving at any speed the brakes engaged on their own and caused the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The stabilizer control light illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test that located the failure within the steering sensor module. The dealer replaced the steering sensor module, but the failure was not repaired. The dealer test drove the vehicle, and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,000. The current mileage was 26,000.
Dt: the contact owns 1999 Cadillac Eldorado. In the owner's manual on page. 6-31 on brake wear it states that brake pads have built in indicators that will make a sound when new brakes are needed. The indicators do not work. There are two sides to the brake pads. On the Cadillac Eldorado it is wearing down quicker on the inside than on the outside. The inside brake pad wear down and there is metal to metal sound. Only the outside brakes have warning indicators. There are none on the inside. Contact explained this to the dealership and the manufacturer. He thinks that they should let people know not to wait until hearing the indicator. Because if the inside brakes wear out consumer will not hear the indicator sound.
1999 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 1999 Cadillac Eldorado a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Eldorado rates average: 33% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Eldorado at the same age. It is one of the best Eldorado years by this measure. 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 1999 Cadillac Eldorado?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (4) and electrical system (1).
How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 1999 Cadillac Eldorado problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 50% 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.