Model year guide

1988 Cadillac eldorado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Cadillac eldorado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

1988 Cadillac eldorado — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1988 Cadillac eldorado at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints10
Combined17 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Cadillac eldorado recalls 1

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 Cadillac eldorado common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

1988 Cadillac eldorado MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,950
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Cadillac eldorado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,750
Fuel only$19,750
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
189.4 in
Width
71.3 in
Height
53.9 in
Wheelbase
107.9 in
Curb weight
3,397 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Cadillac eldorado. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

THROTTLE NON-RETURN Closed

NHTSA #C89001 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Mar 1989 · closed Jan 1990

REAR DISC BRAKES Closed

SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.

NHTSA #EA88036 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jul 1988 · closed Aug 1991

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ELDORADO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Cadillac eldorado

The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors from 1952 until 2002, over twelve generations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 Cadillac eldorado trims & engines on record

Engines
4.5L 8-cyl

1988 Cadillac eldorado vehicles on record

1988 Cadillac eldorado 1988 Cadillac eldorado1G6EL1156JU607093 1988 Cadillac eldorado 1988 Cadillac eldorado1G6EL1150JU617814

Other Cadillac eldorado model years

2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1987 1985 1984 1981

1988 Cadillac eldorado — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Cadillac eldorado have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 Cadillac eldorado. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Cadillac eldorado?

Across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control, engine.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Cadillac eldorado get?

The 1988 Cadillac eldorado has a U.S. EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.