1989 Cadillac Brougham problems
The Cadillac Brougham is a line of full-size luxury cars manufactured by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors from the 1987 through 1992 model years and was marketed from 1977 to 1986 as the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. The optional "d'Elegance" trim package that was introduced during the Fleetwood era remained available. The model received a facelift in 1990 and was replaced by the 1993 rear wheel drive D-body Cadillac Fleetwood.
History
Originally used for a single horse drawn enclosed carriage for 2-4 people, the “Brougham” owes its name to British statesman, Henry Brougham. Cadillac first used the name in 1916 to designate an enclosed 5-7 passenger sedan body style. In the thirties, the name was given to a formal body style with an open chauffeur compartment and enclosed rear quarters, metal roof and often "razor-edged" styling. When Cadillac started offering Fleetwood bodies on some of its cars in 1925, the Brougham body style was Fleetwood bodied every year with the exception of 1926. After 1937, the Brougham name was not applied to any Cadillac for the remainder of the pre-World War II period.
The Brougham name would eventually reappear on the 1955 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham show car which preceded the 4-door Eldorado Brougham hardtops of the 1957 to 1960 model years. The 1957 Cadillac Series 70 Eldorado Brougham joined the Sixty Special and the Series 75 as the only Cadillac models with Fleetwood bodies although Fleetwood script or crests did not appear anywhere on the exterior of the car, and so this would also mark the first time in 20 years that a Fleetwood bodied car was paired with the Brougham name.
After a five-year absence, the Brougham name reappeared as an option package on the 1965 Cadillac Sixty Special. The following year the Brougham moved up to becoming a subseries of the Fleetwood Sixty Special. This continued through 1970. Starting in 1971 the Sixty Special was only available as the well equipped Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham. When the Sixty Special Series was retired in 1977, the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham took its place as Cadillac's largest owner-driven sedan model through 1986.
The single name "Brougham" began to be used as specific Cadillac model in 1987, when the term "Fleetwood" was dropped from the former Fleetwood Brougham. It was otherwise the same as the 1986 model. The reason for the change was that Cadillac had introduced a new front-wheel drive model in 1985 and named it simply the Fleetwood. Compounding the confusion, the optional "d'Elegance" package (introduced in the upscale Fleetwood trim line in the 1970s, offering even more luxurious appointments, including button-tufted seating and rear-seat reading lamps), was available on and appended to the names of both models, resulting in a traditional body-on-frame/rear-wheel drive "Fleetwood Brougham d' Elegance" and a unibody/transverse engined "Fleetwood d' Elegance". The solution was dropping the term "Fleetwood" from the rear-wheel drive model, leaving just the "Brougham". Since it was body-on-frame, it was popular among coachbuilders who manufactured stretched limousines, along with the similar but somewhat smaller Lincoln Town Car, as well as traditional Cadillac buyers who preferred the familiar combination of exterior size, heft, and rear-wheel drive. This was the last Cadillac to be produced without airbags.
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Common 1989 Cadillac Brougham problems
The 1989 Cadillac Brougham is known for several common problems, primarily related to brakes, equipment, and transmission.
- Equipment: The 1989 Cadillac Brougham has experienced 12 recalls related to equipment, covering issues such as seat belt retractor failure, fuel tank leakage, and wiring harness corrosion. Seat belt retractor failure can lead to a reduced level of occupant protection during a crash. Fuel tank leakage can increase the risk of a fire. Wiring harness corrosion can cause electrical issues, potentially affecting various vehicle functions.
- Transmission: The 1989 Cadillac Brougham has experienced 1 recall related to transmission, which addresses issues with the transmission control module. This recall was issued due to the possibility of the transmission control module failing, causing the transmission to shift incorrectly or not shift at all.
- Vacuum Problems: Some owners have reported vacuum problems, particularly after performing maintenance on the intake manifold gasket. These issues can lead to a rough-running engine, stalling, and difficulty starting the vehicle. The vacuum diagram for the 1989 Cadillac Brougham is incomplete, making it challenging to diagnose and resolve these issues.
- Transmission Shifting Issues: Some owners have reported abnormal shifting and jerking, particularly when driving at higher speeds. These issues can lead to a loss of power and difficulty controlling the vehicle. These problems can be caused by various factors, including transmission wear, internal transmission damage, or issues with the transmission control system.
These common problems with the 1989 Cadillac Brougham can significantly impact the vehicle's safety, performance, and reliability. It is essential for owners to address these issues promptly to ensure their vehicle remains safe and functional.
1989 Cadillac Brougham car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Cadillac Brougham problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Interior lighting problems
- Wheels problems
- Visibility problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Cadillac Brougham vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1989 Cadillac Brougham complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Cadillac Brougham.
INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6DW51Y3KR
- Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: DASHBOARD LIGHTING IS INADEQUATE CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6DW51YXKR
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL IS CRACKING, CAUSE UKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1989-02-20
- VIN: 1G3HY54C1K1
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: RIGHT EXTERIOR MIRROR POPS OUT OF POSITION. *SKD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-10-13
- VIN: 1G3HY54C1K1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE SHOES RUB AGAINST ROTOR.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-05-29
- VIN: 1G3HY54C1K1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: NOISY BRAKES. *SKD
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-08-12
- VIN: 1G3HY54C1K1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR ON TIRES.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-08-04
- VIN: 1G3HY54C1K1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ALTERNATOR REPLACED.
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-30
- VIN: 1G6DW51Y1KR
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-30
- VIN: 1G6DW51Y1KR
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT FAILURE. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-30
- VIN: 1G6DW51Y1KR
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED.
1989 Cadillac Brougham recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the 1989 Cadillac Brougham.
- Manufacturer: NATIONAL COACH ENGINEERIN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
- Summary: THE INCREASED WEIGHT OF THE STRETCH CONVERSION LIMOUSINES REQUIRES LARGER DIAMETER REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDERS THAN THOSE INSTALLED IN THE FACTORY.
- Consequence: THE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE STOPPING DISTANCEREQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS".
- Remedy: REPLACE THE EXISTING REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDERS WITH LARGER DIAMETER BRAKE CYLINDERS.
- Manufacturer: ALLEN COACHWORKS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
- Consequence: STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105 ARE NOT METWITH POWER BRAKING ASSIST UNIT INOPERATIVE.
- Remedy: REPLACE ORIGINAL 1" REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER WITH A 1 1/16" CYLINDER.
- Manufacturer: DABRYAN COACH BUILDERS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
- Consequence: STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105 ARE NOT METWITH POWER BRAKING ASSIST UNIT INOPERATIVE.
- Remedy: REPLACE ORIGINAL 1" REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER WITH A 1 1/16" CYLINDER.
- Manufacturer: ULTRA LIMOUSINES
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
- Summary: REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDERS ARE TOO SMALL TO ALLOW FOR PROPER BRAKING.
- Consequence: STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105 ARE NOT METWITH POWER BRAKING ASSIST UNIT INOPERATIVE.
- Remedy: REPLACE ORIGINAL 1" REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER WITH A 1 1/16" CYLINDER.
- Manufacturer: MOLONEY COACH BUILDERS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
- Summary: LIMOUSINE FAILED TO MEET STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 105.
- Consequence: INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT;VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
- Remedy: REPLACE ORIGINAL REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER WITH A LARGER CYLINDER.
- Manufacturer: LIMOUSINE WERKS, INC.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
- Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR PART 567.
- Remedy: INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
- Manufacturer: LIMOUSINE WERKS, INC.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
- Consequence: LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.
- Remedy: INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.
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