Hydraulic brake leaks and loss of braking
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4 NHTSA complaints · 1997-04 → 1999-03
“DEVELOPED PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID”
“ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE”
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Recalls, Problems & Maintenance
The 1992 Cadillac Eldorado has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Hydraulic brake leaks and loss of braking.” Cadillac uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm watches engine revolutions, temperature, and load, then lights the change-oil message — typically around 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, with dexos-approved oil. Turbo fours in ATS, CT4, XT4, and XT5 are harder on oil than the indicator suggests in short-trip driving. Northstar-era V8s (DeVille, Seville, Eldorado) live and die by their cooling system — coolant condition checks are not optional on those cars. Escalade shares its 6.2L V8 and 10-speed with GM's trucks and follows the same fluid schedule.
Save this car as:
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Known issues & problems for this vehicle
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1992 Cadillac Eldorado.
Reported to NHTSA
Seatback recline mechanism failure
SEATS
2 NHTSA complaints · 2000-12 → 2004-07
“DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK WILL NOT STAY IN A UPRIGHT POSTION”
“THE ROCKET MECHANISM WHICH ADJUSTS THE SEAT BACK ANGLE FAILED ONE NOTCH AT A TIME UNTIL THE SEAT BACK GAVE WAY COMPLETELY”
Headlights going out
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 NHTSA complaints · 2010-11 → 2010-11
“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY 1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BARELY ABLE TO SEE, THEN 5 MINUTES AFTERWARDS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, THINKING THAT I MUST HAVE A WIRE LOOSE SO I CHECKED THE WIRING WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND NO LOOSE WIRES ANYWHERE”
“SO WHEN I DECIDED TO GO OUT FOR DINNER MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON AGAIN”
Tire blowout and tread separation
TIRES
2 NHTSA complaints · 2002-11 → 2003-11
“VEHICLE'S FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT”
“TREAD SPARATED ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE EARLIER IN YEAR AND NOW RIGHT REAR TREAD IS ABOUT TO GO”
Radiator failure and engine block coolant leak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 2013-09
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND HE ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO COOL”
“ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO PIN HOLES IN BLOCK, CAUSING COOLANT LEAK”
Unintended acceleration and engine surging
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 2001-02
“WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED AND REACHED ABOUT 4,000 RPMS BEFORE CONSUMER HIT BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN”
“VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT IS REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL”
Suspension strut and ride-control problems
SUSPENSION
5 NHTSA complaints · 1995-07 → 2000-09
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH AIR STRUT SENSOR FAILING TO REGISTER”
“SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT OF THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING FEELS LOOSE, OR LOSS OF CONTROL”
“VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED LEFT, OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)
Every 7,500 miChange when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 full synthetic on modern engines; Blackwing and supercharged V-Series run hotter and should not stretch the indicator. Northstar V8s: watch for consumption and leaks at the rear main and oil-pan perimeter.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Tire Rotation
Every 7,500 miRotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two. Staggered-fitment V-Series cars can't rotate front-to-rear; budget rear tires accordingly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Brake Inspection
Every 7,500 miInspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Brembo-equipped V-Series wear faster than the base cars; magnetic-ride models should also get a look at shock condition while it's on the lift.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Important maintenance
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Every 45,000 miGM lists roughly 45,000 miles under severe service (which includes most city commuting) for the 6/8/10-speed automatics. Older 4T80-E units behind Northstars respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile cars.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Spark Plugs
Every 60,000 miTurbo fours (ATS 2.0T, CT4, XT4): roughly every 60,000 miles. Naturally-aspirated V6s and V8s carry iridium plugs rated to 97,500–100,000 miles — check the manual for your engine.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Engine Air Filter
Every 45,000 miGM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at oil changes in dusty regions.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Brake Fluid
Every 45,000 miGM recommends fluid replacement about every 45,000 miles or 3 years. Magnetic-ride and V-Series cars driven hard should err toward the 2-year mark.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Serpentine Belt
Every 60,000 miInspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing. Supercharged V-Series engines have a second, dedicated blower belt — inspect both.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Recommended maintenance
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Cabin Air Filter
Every 22,500 miReplace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — sooner if the climate fan has lost its punch.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)
Every 150,000 miDex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On Northstar V8s this is the schedule that decides the engine's fate — low or contaminated coolant is how head-gasket trouble starts. Check level and condition at every oil change on those cars.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Battery Test & Service
Every 25,000 miTest annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped models and anything with Super Cruise use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, and expect shorter life from the electrical load these cars carry parked.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Fatal crash history & reported problems
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
60 crashes 1990–2024
How the 60 occupant deaths break down
35
driver deaths
25
passenger deaths
60
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1993 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Why we show driver deaths too
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
3
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1992 Cadillac Eldorado reflects Cadillac's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.