1986 Cadillac Cimarron problems
The Cadillac Cimarron is an entry-level luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac division of General Motors for model years 1982–1988 over a single generation, with a mild facelift in 1985.
The first post-war compact car offered by the brand, the four-door was developed to compete with similarly-sized premium sedans marketed by European automakers in North America.
The flagship offering of the GM J platform, the Cimarron had joined the project just 11 months prior to the J-Cars' arrival in showrooms, and had very little involvement in the developing the program. Marketed with counterparts from Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick, the Cimarron was to become one of the most controversial examples of badge engineering in the American automotive industry, sharing much of its entire design, including its exterior, with the Chevrolet Cavalier and GM's other brand variants.
Through its entire production, the Cimarron was manufactured at South Gate Assembly (1981–1982) and Janesville Assembly (1982–1988); both facilities produced the model alongside the Chevrolet Cavalier and its J-platform badge-engineered variants. In North America, the Cimarron was not replaced directly.
The Cimarron is noted as a nadir of GM's product planning — for its low sales, poor performance and ill-conceived badge engineering.
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Common 1986 Cadillac Cimarron problems
The Cadillac Cimarron, introduced in 1982, has been widely criticized for its lack of luxury and high price point compared to its Chevrolet Cavalier counterpart.
Another common issue with the 1986 Cadillac Cimarron was its poor fuel efficiency. The car's fuel economy was lower than many of its competitors, which was a significant drawback for a car that was marketed as a luxury vehicle.
The car's interior was also a source of frustration for many owners. The Cimarron's interior was criticized for being cramped and uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom for both the driver and passengers.
The car's exterior was also a source of criticism for many owners. The Cimarron's exterior was criticized for being unremarkable and lacking the distinctive styling cues that were associated with other Cadillac models.
The car's reliability was also a significant issue for many owners. The Cimarron was criticized for having a number of mechanical issues, including problems with the car's electrical system, transmission, and brakes.
In conclusion, the 1986 Cadillac Cimarron was a car that was plagued with a number of significant problems, including poor performance, poor fuel efficiency, a cramped and uncomfortable interior, unremarkable exterior styling, and poor reliability. These issues made the car a disappointment for many owners and a cautionary tale against lazy rebadging.
Why did the Cadillac Cimarron fail?
Forbes placed the Cimarron on its list of "Legendary Car Flops", citing low sales, poor performance and the fact the car "didn't work, coming from a luxury brand." CarBuzz called the Cimarron a "textbook example of what goes wrong when a carmaker tries to badge engineer an economy car into a luxury car."
What platform was the Cadillac Cimarron from?
General Motors' J platform
Based on General Motors' J platform, which also underpinned the lowly Chevy Cavalier, the Cadillac Cimarron was an attempt by the division to woo younger affluent buyers away from imports.
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 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).
Why did the Cadillac Cimarron fail?
Forbes placed the Cimarron on its list of "Legendary Car Flops", citing low sales, poor performance and the fact the car "didn't work, coming from a luxury brand." CarBuzz called the Cimarron a "textbook example of what goes wrong when a carmaker tries to badge engineer an economy car into a luxury car."
What platform was the Cadillac Cimarron from?
General Motors' J platform
Based on General Motors' J platform, which also underpinned the lowly Chevy Cavalier, the Cadillac Cimarron was an attempt by the division to woo younger affluent buyers away from imports.
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 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).
1986 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:
- Seats problems
- Seat belts problems
- Structure problems
- Steering problems
- Equipment problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Cadillac Cimarron vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1986 Cadillac Cimarron complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Cadillac Cimarron.
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-10-15
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: DRIVER SEAT BROKE NOT SECURED TO CAR FLIPS BACK MAJOR SAFTY HAZARD MAY FALL INTO BACK SEAT WHEN ACCELERATING.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-18
- VIN: 1G6JG69W3GJ
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELTS: WHEN EVER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILS TO LOCK UP. THIS IS A HAZARD TO THE PASSENGER. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER CHECK OUT.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-01
- VIN: 1G6JG69W1GJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: DRIVER'S POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH FAILED. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-01
- VIN: 1G6JG69W1GJ
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING FAILED. *AK
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-01
- VIN: 1G6JG69W1GJ
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6JG69W7GJ
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THE FUEL TANK HAS CORRODED AND CAUSED A LEAK. *AK
1986 Cadillac Cimarron recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1986 Cadillac Cimarron.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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 CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: 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).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
- Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Cadillac Cimarron problems:
A Brief History of the Cadillac Cimarron, One of the Worst Cars Ever
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Does the Cadillac Cimarron Deserve Its Reputation? - Hooniverse
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