1996 Cadillac Fleetwood: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood: 2 recalls, 17 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #96V018000 · 1996 · 102,403 vehicles
What's wrong: Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
Why it matters: The lower control arm ball joint can loosen, fatigue, and separate from the front suspension knuckle resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
The fix: 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.
Wheels Vehicle recall #96V245000 · 1996 · 21,582 vehicles
What's wrong: The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly.
Why it matters: This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (4): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Steering (3): the most common themes are steering problems (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood has 17 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 8 Fleetwood model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 16). Complaints peaked in 1997 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 109,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (18 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood problems?
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (4), steering (3), transmission & drivetrain (2).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (5.7 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.