Cadillac Fleetwood Problems by Year

We compared every Cadillac Fleetwood model year from 1995–1996 using 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 5 recalls and federal defect investigations. No Fleetwood year stands out with an unusual number of complaints.

2model years
35complaints
5recalls
—worst years
—best years

Complaints by model year

199519961817
Owner complaints per model year, Cadillac Fleetwood. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
199617—2BrakeLimited data
199518—5SuspensionLimited data

* Complaints compared with the median Fleetwood year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Cadillac Fleetwood problems

  • Brakesworst: 1996
    617%
  • Suspensionworst: 1995
    411%
  • Other / not specified
    411%
  • Electrical systemworst: 1995
    411%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 1995
    411%
  • Steeringworst: 1996
    411%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 1996
    39%
  • Body & structureworst: 1996
    39%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 1996
    39%
  • Air bagsworst: 1996
    39%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 1995
    26%
  • Seatsworst: 1995
    26%
  • Lightsworst: 1995
    26%
  • Seat beltsworst: 1995
    26%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 1996
    26%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 1996
    26%
  • Locks & latchesworst: 1996
    13%
  • A/C & heaterworst: 1996
    13%

Latest Cadillac Fleetwood recalls

Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

NHTSA recall 96V-245 · Dec 10, 1996 · 21,582 vehicles

The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly.

Remedy: Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification.

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

NHTSA recall 96V-019 · Jan 30, 1996 · 308 vehicles

Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened from the knuckle, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced.

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

NHTSA recall 96V-018 · Jan 30, 1996 · 102,403 vehicles

Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 95V-221 · Nov 16, 1995 · 83,400 vehicles

These vehicles were produced with an improperly adjusted transmission shift control linkage. This does not meet with the requirements of FMVSS no. 114, "theft protection."

Remedy: Dealers will adjust the shift control linkage system.

Vehicle speed control › Springs

NHTSA recall 95V-082 · Apr 24, 1995 · 87,039 vehicles

These vehicles fail to conform to FMVSS no. 124, "accelerator control systems." at low temperatures, excessive friction can occur in the accelerator pedal assembly.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.

All 5 Cadillac Fleetwood recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Cadillac Fleetwood should you avoid?

None of the Cadillac Fleetwood years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What are the most common Cadillac Fleetwood problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (6), suspension (4) and electrical system (4). Brake complaints peak in the 1996 model year.

How many recalls has the Cadillac Fleetwood had?

5 recalls across 1995–1996. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Cadillac Fleetwood recalls by year.

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.