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1988 Cadillac FleetwoodProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints32 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 19, 1999. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control21
Electrical system10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Cadillac Fleetwood recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 90V-050 · Mar 6, 1990 · 223 vehicles

Risk. LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Fleetwood year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Fleetwood median. How we score

'71'72'77'78'79'81'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'98
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88031 · closed Oct 23, 1989
    No recall
  2. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Fleetwood owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AUTO-TRAN: GAS PEDAL STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AS DRIVER STARTED CAR, SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE; VEHICLE LURCH FORWARD; HIT TREE, TOTALED VEHICLE. *AK
Complaint 971450 · Sep 1, 1995
THROTTLE PLATE STUCK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR. PIECES OF A.I.R. PUMP VANES FOUND STUCK IN THROTTLE PLATE. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY A DEADLY SITUATION HAD THERE BEEN MORE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO STOP THE CAR. THIS OF COURSE KILLED ALL POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKING. THE…
Complaint 706664 · May 19, 1999

Own a 1988 Fleetwood?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.