1989 Cadillac Fleetwood problems

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The Cadillac Fleetwood was a full-size luxury sedan that was marketed by Cadillac from the 1976 to 1996 model years. Taking its nameplate from a coachbuilder historically associated with the General Motors division, the Cadillac Fleetwood became a stand-alone model line in 1985.

The first generation of the Fleetwood was introduced as Cadillac converted its C-body platform to front-wheel drive. Serving between the Sedan deVille and the Sixty Special in the front-wheel drive Cadillac line, the Fleetwood also filled the gap between the deVille and the rear-wheel drive Fleetwood Brougham (Cadillac Brougham from 1987-1992). The second generation moved to the D-body platform, serving as the replacement of the Brougham (the Fleetwood Brougham returned as a trim option).

Following the 1996 model year, Cadillac retired its Fleetwood line as GM ended production of its full-size sedan lines in North America. Within Cadillac, its large sedan lines were consolidated solely to the deVille series (later the Cadillac DTS).

1989 Cadillac Fleetwood

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Common 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood problems

The 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood is known for several common problems, primarily related to mechanical and electrical issues. Here are the most frequently reported problems based on complaints from owners:

  • Head Gasket Leaks: Another common problem with the 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood is head gasket leaks, which can cause the engine to overheat and eventually fail. These leaks are often caused by a combination of factors, including age, wear and tear, and poor maintenance.
  • ABS Brake System Failure: The ABS brake system in the 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood is also known to fail, which can be a significant safety concern for drivers. This issue is often caused by faulty sensors or wiring, which can prevent the ABS system from functioning correctly.
  • Electrical Problems: The 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood is also known for various electrical problems, including issues with the ECC, gasoline information, speedometer, odometer, and battery charging. These issues can be caused by loose connections, faulty wiring, or malfunctioning components.
  • No-Start Problems: Many owners of the 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood have reported issues with the car not starting, which can be caused by various factors, including a faulty alternator, starter, or battery, dirty connections, ignition system problems, or fuel system issues.

These common problems with the 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood can be frustrating and costly for owners, but they can often be addressed with proper maintenance, repairs, and replacement of faulty parts.

1989 Cadillac Fleetwood engine

Are Cadillac Fleetwoods reliable?

The 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood receives an average consumer rating of 4.9 overall and a 4.9 for reliability, which means owners consider its reliability to be above average.

What engine is in a 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood?

4.5 V8

Specifications for Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan 4.5 V8 Automatic, 157hp, 1989 4-speed.

What kind of engine is in a Cadillac Fleetwood?

Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
Powertrain
Engine250 cu in (4.1 L) HT-4100 V8 252 cu in (4.1 L) Buick V6 307 cu in (5.0 L) Oldsmobile V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) LF9 Diesel V8 368 cu in (6.0 L) L62 V8 425 cu in (7.0 L) L33/L35 V8
Transmission3-speed TH-400 automatic 3-speed TH-350C automatic 4-speed TH-200-4R automatic
Dimensions

How much is a 1990 Fleetwood Cadillac worth?

The value of a used 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood ranges from $1,750 to $9,068, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

What engine is in a 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood?

4.5 V8

Specifications for Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan 4.5 V8 Automatic, 157hp, 1989 4-speed.

What happened to the Cadillac Fleetwood?

(201 kW) LT1 Chevrolet 350 V8, derived from the Chevrolet Corvette and shared with the Chevrolet Impala SS, Chevrolet Caprice 9C1, and Buick Roadmaster. The Cadillac Fleetwood, along with its B-Body stablemates, was retired by General Motors in December of 1996.

When did Cadillac stop making Fleetwood?

1996

The Cadillac Fleetwood is a luxury car model manufactured by the Cadillac division of General Motors between 1976 and 1996.

How much is a 1990 Fleetwood Cadillac worth?

The value of a used 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood ranges from $1,750 to $9,068, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

1989 Cadillac Fleetwood car problems categorized by type of issue

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

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1989 Cadillac Fleetwood complaints

The NHTSA has received 16 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood.

2001-07-18

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-06-13
  • VIN: 1G6CB5159K4
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: I REPORTED AND SENT THE FAILED TIRE (6/13 INCIDENT) TO FIRESTONE. AT THEIR INSISTENCE AND PROMISE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES, I BOUGHT 3 NEW TIRES. FIRESTONE'S REPLY DENIES THAT TREAD SEPARATION IS MANUFACTURER'S FAULT AND REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME FOR COST OF NEW TIRES OR REPAIR TO VEHICLE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDM0A1B206 TIRESIZE: P205/70R15)
2000-05-10

STEERING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-05-07
  • VIN: 1G6CB115XK4
  • Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. ALSO, UNDERNEATH THE COLUMN FRAME FELL APART, IT WAS HOLDING ON BY A FEW BOLTS. *AK *ML
2000-05-05

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G6CB5154K4
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1999-08-09

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G6CB5159K4
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES APPLIED AT ANY SPEED OVER 40 MPH. *YC
1999-07-07

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-06-01
  • VIN: 1G6CB5158K4
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: AIR WILL BLOW, CONSTANTLY CHANGING VENTS BY ITSELF, THE PANEL LIGHTS FLASH, AND THE CLIMATE SYSTEM CAN'T BE CONTROLLED, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *SLC
1999-07-06

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-06-08
  • VIN: 1G6DW51Y7KR
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AT40-45 MPH ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY GOT STUCK IN OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO KEEP ACCELERATING. TO STOP VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
1999-04-06

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-02-27
  • VIN: 1G6CD1150K4
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION, VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM, 45 TO 75 MPH DUE TO FAULTY IDLE MOTOR/REPLACED.
1999-03-01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-02-27
  • VIN: 1G6CB1150K4
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE 55 MPH THE ENGINE IDLES WITHOUT INDICATIONS TO 85 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF TO GAIN CONTROL. *AK
1998-07-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-06
  • VIN: 1G6DW51Y3KR
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WHILE DRVING AT NIGHT WOULD NOTICE THE PANEL LIGHTS KEPT GETTING DIMMER. HAD CALLED & SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER & WAS INFORMED TO BRING VEHICLE IN TO CHECK IT OVER. *AK
1997-11-17

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-12-29
  • VIN: 1G6CB515OK4
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKE CONTROL.
1996-06-05

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-04
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: POWER ASSIST BOOSTER OF THE BRAKE HAS FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1995-04-26

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-04-27
  • VIN: 1G6CB5155K4
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, DEFECTIVE ROTORS, EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKES. TT
1995-04-17

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-03-28
  • VIN: 1G6CB5158K4
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS PUMP MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. TT
1995-03-01

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1992-04-17
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: GAS TANK SPLIT IN THE SEAM AT THE RIGHT TANK ON THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT, RESULTING IN GAS LEAK. TT
1995-01-30

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-01-27
  • VIN: 1G6CB5156K4
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: THROTTLE STUCK AND HIT THREE OTHER CARS. TT
1994-06-24

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-01-01
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1G6CB5155K5
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TWICE AT START UP, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AW

1989 Cadillac Fleetwood recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood.

2006-05-19
  • 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).
1990-05-09
  • Manufacturer: EMPIRE COACH COMPANY
  • Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
  • Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
  • Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
  • Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood problems:

Problems with 1989 Coupe Deville? | Cadillac Owners Forum
Problems with 1989 Coupe Deville? | Cadillac Owners Forum
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/problems-with-1989-coupe-deville.501105/

Apr 21, 2014 ... If they're tight and clean, have the battery tested, just to rule it out. Go to the top of the FWD Deville/Fleetwood page, and click in the " ...

Q&A: 1989 Cadillac Seville Problems - JustAnswer
Q&A: 1989 Cadillac Seville Problems - JustAnswer
https://www.justanswer.com/car/14hzl-1989-cadillac-seville-problem.html

Mar 21, 2008 ... Have a 1989 Cadillac Seville. The problem is that the battery keeps draining and not charging. The battery has been - Answered by a verified ...

1989 Fleetwood hearse heater blower problem | Cadillac Owners ...
1989 Fleetwood hearse heater blower problem | Cadillac Owners ...
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/1989-fleetwood-hearse-heater-blower-problem.994282/

Sep 3, 2017 ... Hello all, I have a 1989 Caddy hearse that has a heater/ac problem. I did some research online and read this is a common problem where the ...

Curbside Classic: 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood - Deadly Sin or Greatest ...
Curbside Classic: 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood - Deadly Sin or Greatest ...
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1989-cadillac-fleetwood-deadly-sin-or-greatest-hit/

Sep 25, 2019 ... A bigger immediate problem for Cadillac than the debut of the first Lexus LS was the arrival of the restyled Lincoln Town Car for 1990. That was ...

Cadillac Fleetwood Problems and Complaints - 35 Issues
Cadillac Fleetwood Problems and Complaints - 35 Issues
https://repairpal.com/problems/cadillac/fleetwood

Top Cadillac Fleetwood Problems · Car Won't Start Because of Anti-Theft System That Uses Raised-Chip Key · Auto Level Ride Compressor May Fail · Performance Issues ...

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cadillac fleetwood 1990 photo
Fleetwood 1990
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Fleetwood 1991
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Fleetwood 1992
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Fleetwood 1993
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Fleetwood 1994
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Fleetwood 1995
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1989 Cadillac Fleetwood photo