1984 Cadillac Cimarron problems

Common 1984 Cadillac Cimarron problems

The Cadillac Cimarron, introduced in 1984, is often considered one of the biggest automotive mistakes due to its poor conception and execution. This compact luxury car was based on the J-car platform, which it shared with the Chevrolet Cavalier and other GM models.

One of the most common problems with the Cimarron was its powertrain. The car was initially equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which produced only 88 horsepower. This engine was criticized for being underpowered and unrefined, making the car feel sluggish and unresponsive. It was described as a "stomach pump" and was available with either a four- or five-speed manual transmission, which was unusual for a Cadillac at the time.

Another issue was the car's quality and build. The Cimarron was built to GM's negligent standards, resulting in a tinny and poorly constructed vehicle. This was a stark contrast to the high-quality image that Cadillac had built over the years, and it damaged the brand's reputation.

The pricing of the Cimarron was also problematic. With an MSRP of $12,000, it was twice as expensive as the Chevy Cavalier, yet it offered few advantages over its cheaper sibling. This led to what is now known as "sticker shock" for potential buyers, who were unwilling to pay such a high price for a car that was essentially a dressed-up Cavalier.

The Cimarron's target market was also questionable. Cadillac aimed to attract younger, performance-oriented buyers with the Cimarron, but the car's underpowered engine, poor quality, and high price made it unappealing to this demographic. Additionally, the car was marketed as "Cimarron by Cadillac," with dealers instructed not to call it a Cadillac, which further confused potential buyers.

Despite these issues, the Cimarron did have one positive aspect: its fuel efficiency. The car offered impressive city and highway mileage, averaging 26 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. However, this advantage was overshadowed by the car's many other shortcomings.

In conclusion, the Cadillac Cimarron suffered from numerous problems, including an underpowered engine, poor quality, high pricing, and a questionable target market. These issues led to the car being considered one of the biggest automotive mistakes, bringing unrelenting shame on its parent company and damaging Cadillac's reputation.

What kind of car is a Cimarron?

The Cimarron was, of course, a Cadillac and not some plebeian Chevy, but aside from badging, all that really meant was you could get the inside slathered in leather.

What was the small Cadillac of the 1980's that resembled the Chevy Cavalier?

GM product planners had only a year to develop the Cimarron, which is one reason why it was so similar to the Chevy Cavalier and Pontiac J2000.

What was the Cadillac version of the Chevy Cavalier?

Cadillac Cimarron

Initially a divisional counterpart of the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Oldsmobile Firenza, and Pontiac J2000, the Cavalier was primarily marketed alongside the Pontiac Sunbird (renamed the Pontiac Sunfire for 1995).

What is the history of the Cadillac?

Cadillac was founded in 1902 by Henry Leland, who named the company after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who happens to be the founder of Detroit. Just 6 short years later Cadillac brought the idea of interchangeable parts to the automotive industry and laid the ground work for modern mass production of automobiles.

1984 Cadillac Cimarron car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Cadillac Cimarron problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Electrical system problems
• Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Cadillac Cimarron vehicle components and the number of complaints received.