1999 Cadillac Eldorado: common problems

Owners of the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 23
involving a crash: 1

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 26% of all complaints
2 Service brakes 26% of all complaints
3 Visibility 13% of all complaints
4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
5 Engine 9% of all complaints
6 Tires 9% of all complaints
7 Air bags 4% of all complaints
8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (26% of all).
Service brakes: 6 complaints (26% of all).
Visibility: 3 complaints (13% of all).
Electrical system: 2 complaints (9% of all).
Engine: 2 complaints (9% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl
automatic, 4-speed

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 23 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

overheating, coolant loss2 · 9%
smoke, burning smell, fire2 · 9%
stalls while driving2 · 9%
warning lights, check engine2 · 9%
airbags did not deploy1 · 4%
A/C or heater1 · 4%
engine failure or replacement1 · 4%
headlights and tail lights1 · 4%
rust, corrosion1 · 4%
steering or power steering problems1 · 4%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Engine and cooling	6	0
Service brakes	6	0
Visibility	3	0
Electrical system	2	0
Engine	2	0
Tires	2	1
Air bags	1	1
Exterior lighting	1	0
Seat belts	1	0
Steering	1	0
Suspension	1	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Upon impact, front air bags failed to deploy. Also, vehicle had two flat tires.
Tires · crash · 2000-12-07 · NHTSA complaint #876170
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…
Engine · 2016-06-10 · NHTSA complaint #10873587
Consumer writes in regards to information on vehicle engine failures. The consumer stated the engine was repaired. However, it hasn't worked correctly since.
Engine · 2014-07-28 · NHTSA complaint #10615482
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.
Service brakes · 2011-09-27 · NHTSA complaint #10427546
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.
Engine and cooling · 2011-09-02 · NHTSA complaint #10423021
At approx 75,000 miles sudden failure of rear brake line (between two rear wheels) due to corrosion. Taken to dealership. Cost to repair $550.
Service brakes · 2005-08-31 · NHTSA complaint #10134884
While vehicle was parked, engine off, no keys in ignition, vehicle caught fire in engine compartment. Vehicle totaled.
Electrical system · 2005-01-14 · NHTSA complaint #10106304
Vehicle stalled on its own. Consumer noticed that the lights appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer took vehicle to dealer dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
Engine and cooling · 2004-10-26 · NHTSA complaint #10097800

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19992
20004
20013
20022
20045
20053
20112
20141
20161

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 7,735 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Eldorado has 21 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 23, about average.

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, visibility. Total complaints: 23. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: overheating, coolant loss (9%), smoke, burning smell, fire (9%), stalls while driving (9%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 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 1999 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 1999 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.