AI Damage1986 Cadillac Cimarron: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Cadillac Cimarron filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about equipment and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Equipment 25% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 25% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 25% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 25% of all complaints
- Equipment: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Driver seat broke not secured to car flips back major safty hazard may fall into back seat when accelerating.
Seat belts: when ever the brakes are applied, the passenger side seat belts fails to lock up. This is a hazard to the passenger. Will be taking vehicle to dealer check out.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cimarron has 2 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Cadillac Cimarron?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: equipment, fuel system, seat belts. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: door locks, latches, handles (25%), rust, corrosion (25%), seat belts (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 Cadillac Cimarron?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1986 Cadillac Cimarron from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1986 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.