1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 4 of 17 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 18 in 1995 to 17 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | vs. 1996 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450 | 3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 23 | 15 / 24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | |
| Complaints filed | 18 | 17 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood?
Brakes: 4 of 17 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood?
EPA estimates $3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 15 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · Campaign 96V245000 · Dec 19, 1996
Defect: THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · Campaign 96V018000 · Feb 1, 1996
Defect: DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
Consequence: THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN LOOSEN, FATIGUE, AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.