Total Complaints
39 filings
CADILLAC FLEETWOOD · model year
1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD
39 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996CADILLACFLEETWOOD carries 39 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 FLEETWOOD is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 2 filings, followed by air bags (2) and unknown or other (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 1996 FLEETWOOD, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
39
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20180413UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE HIGHWAY - LEFT REAR. HAD JACKED IT UP, AND CHANGED TIRE. WAS LETTING JACK DOWN WHEN IT COLLAPSED. SCISSORS TYPE JACK. ONE OF THE CAPTIVE NUTS THAT THE MAIN BOLT RUNS THROUGH TO RAISE THE JACK ASSEMBLY FAILED, DROPPING THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY. LUCKILY, THE TIRE HAD BEEN CHANGED, AND NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THE CAR DROPPED. I HAVE HAD A SIMILAR FAILURE ON MY 1993 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD, AND WONDER IF THIS IS NOT COMMON TO ALL OF THE GM CARS USING THIS JACK.
Mileage: 140,000
20100312VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,000.
Mileage: 109,000
20040130STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.*AK
20030327FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE FUEL PUMP CONTAINED A SHORTAGE, WHICH CAUSED A SPARK. *JB
20030318STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE IT WAS BEING TURNED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Mileage: 50,000
20011207SUSPENSION
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
20011207SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
20011207ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
20011207SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
20011207VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
20011207STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER STEERING GOES OUT TEMPORARILY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THEN IT RELEASES BY ITSELF, DEALERSHIPOP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERABLE, KEYLESS ENTRY PAD WILLNOT OPEN DOOR UNLESS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, R/R DOOR IS HARD TO CLOSE WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE CLOSED, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING, DEALER ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, ALSO PASSENGER SIDE HAED REST WILL NOT STAY UP.*SLC
20000712VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE JUST STALLED. WHEN PRESSING DOWN A LITTLE HARDER VEHICLE TOOK OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 OR 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM YET. *AK *ML
19990420CrashAIR BAGS
AIR BAG WORKED AS INTENDED BUT CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THE AIRBAG WHICH MADE IT HARD TO BREATH AFTER ACCIDENT.
19981217STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT LOCK FAILED.
19981217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT ROTORS REPAIRED DUE TO NOISE.
19981217VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD MOLDING LOOSE.
19981217EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED.
19981217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTOR AND DRUM FAILED CAUSING NOISE.
19981217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
BRAKE ROTOR AND DRUM FAILED CAUSING NOISE.
19981217EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C COOLING SWITCH FAILED, HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FAILED.
Compare 1996CADILLACFLEETWOOD to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
PE24011Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
PE22006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Rear-View Camera Failure
PE19001Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
EQ11001EQClosed
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
EA07017Engineering AnalysisClosed
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD have?▼
The 1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD has 39 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.