Model year guide

1998 Cadillac Eldorado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Cadillac Eldorado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

1998 Cadillac Eldorado — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Cadillac Eldorado at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints56
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$1,970

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

1998 Cadillac Eldorado recalls 1

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #97V183000 · 27/10/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSES AND LIMOUSINES. THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES WAS MISROUTED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE HARNESS, CORRECT AS NECESSARY, AND INSTALL A PLASTIC TIE STRAP TO THE HARNESS.

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.

1998 Cadillac Eldorado common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1998 Cadillac Eldorado MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

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

What's a 1998 Cadillac Eldorado worth?

Low
$650
Typical price
$1,970
High
$5,000

From 10 comparable 1998 Cadillac Eldorado listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Cadillac Eldorado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Fuel only$18,500
Per mile$0.25

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
200.4 in
Width
75.6 in
Height
53.5 in
Wheelbase
107.9 in
Curb weight
3,843 lb
Front track
61.0 in
Rear track
61.0 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 59

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 59.

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723D · Electrical System · Jan 2020

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Sep 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Feb 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…

Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723C · Electrical System, Equipment, Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2017

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723B · Electrical System · Feb 2017

This informational bulletin provides information on wheel bearing P/N 13582664 being received new with visible rust and no action is needed as this does not affect the part performance.

Bulletin 17-NA-016 · Wheels · Feb 2017

This informational bulletin provides information on wheel bearing P/N 13582664 being received new with visible rust and no action is needed as this does not affect the part performance.

Bulletin 17-NA-016 · Wheels · Jan 2017

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

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISROUTED. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE HARNESS MAY INTERFERE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE LINKAGE. THIS COULD PREVENT RETURN TO CLOSED THROTTLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR THE CORRECT…

Transport Canada #1997188 · Oct 1997

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

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.

1998 Cadillac Eldorado trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Touring
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl · 1.3L 4-cyl

1998 Cadillac Eldorado vehicles on record

1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Base1G6EL12Y1WU608751 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Touring1G6ET129XWU600768 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Base1G6EL12Y5WU614214 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Touring1G6ET1299WU609719 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Touring1G6ET129XWU602536 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Base1G6EL12Y6WU616697 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Base1G6EL12YXWU601068 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Base1G6EL12Y8WU610724 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado Base1G6EL12Y6WU611290 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado1G6EL12Y7WU601769 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado1G6EL12Y2WU607236 1998 Cadillac Eldorado 1998 Cadillac Eldorado1G6EL12Y8WU609346

Other Cadillac Eldorado model years

2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1988 1987 1985 1984 1981

1998 Cadillac Eldorado — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 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 1998 Cadillac Eldorado?

Across all 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, engine and engine cooling, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado get?

The 1998 Cadillac Eldorado has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 1998 Cadillac Eldorado worth?

Comparable 1998 Cadillac Eldorado listings run roughly $650–$5,000, typically around $1,970 (from 10 vehicles).

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