AI Damage1987 Cadillac Eldorado: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 29% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 14% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Wheels: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.1 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
They informed me that the engine bolts had corroded off and the engine was bouncing on the frame and this was causing all my problems. It cost $710 to repair - $617 for the repair and $93 for a rental car for 2 days. They had trouble obtaining the parts needed to repair.
Dash light flashes off and on, causing an electrical short within the tail lights, tail lights also flash off and on. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has yet to replace parts. Please provide any further details.
Brakes have gone out many times without warning, causing near crashes. 2nd time for set of new brakes.
During cold weather noise developed in power steering upon making a turn. Tt
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 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Eldorado has 21 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- Eldorado 19823 sources
- Eldorado 19834 sources
- Eldorado 19847 sources
- Eldorado 198510 sources
- Eldorado 198612 sources
- Eldorado 19889 sources
- Eldorado 19898 sources
- Eldorado 199025 sources
- Eldorado 19919 sources
- Eldorado 199225 sources
- Eldorado 199335 sources
- Eldorado 199435 sources
- Eldorado 199554 sources
- Eldorado 199660 sources
- Eldorado 199759 sources
- Eldorado 199838 sources
- Eldorado 199923 sources
- Eldorado 200030 sources
- Eldorado 200124 sources
- Eldorado 200210 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, electrical system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (29%), headlights and tail lights (14%), rust, corrosion (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Cadillac Eldorado?
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 1987 Cadillac Eldorado 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 1987 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.