U.S. public vehicle records

Cadillac CIMARRON problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

46,767 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1978 to 1988 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System:Ignition:Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 14 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Engine operation	4	28.6%
Braking behavior	1	7.1%
Electrical and battery issues	1	7.1%
Steering behavior	1	7.1%
Fuel system concerns	1	7.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System:Ignition:Module

Structure:Body:Door

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Electrical System:Ignition

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	2
Structure:Body:Door	2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	1
Electrical System:Ignition	1
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	1
Engine	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	1
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	1

Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2006

2014

1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1997: 4; 1998: 1; 1999: 3; 2006: 1; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System:Ignition:Module leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10577853 · 2014-04-07 (April 7, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1978 CADILLAC CIMARRON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10577853 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 705880 · 1999-04-22 (April 22, 1999)

1. ENGINE STALLS WHEN ENGAGING IN DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL. 2. WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL OR MAKING A TURN. 3. PAINT DELAMINATING (PEELING) ON ROOF AND HOOD.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 705880 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 839780 · 1999-06-14 (June 14, 1999)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 839780 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 810042 · 1997-05-14 (May 14, 1997)

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FRONT WIRING HARNESS FAILURE WHEN UNDERSIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, SHORT CIRCUITING POWER DOOR LOCKS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE, MOTORIST WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE ONLY TO GET DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 810042 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10173855 · 2006-11-20 (November 20, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. AFTER 15 SECONDS, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED ITSELF. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAME NOISY AS THE FLUID LEAKED OUT.

Owner-reported narrative. 46,767 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173855 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 807847 · 1997-01-17 (January 17, 1997)

THE FUEL TANK HAS CORRODED AND CAUSED A LEAK. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 807847 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1978

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1978: 0; 1982: 1; 1983: 4; 1984: 1; 1985: 1; 1986: 2; 1987: 0; 1988: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Cadillac CIMARRON model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1978	1	0	Not available
1982	0	1	Not available
1983	0	4	+3
1984	1	1	-3
1985	4	1	0
1986	4	2	+1
1987	2	0	-2
1988	2	0	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

14 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

7.1%Usable mileage1 / 14 records

71.4%Valid incident date10 / 14 records

100.0%Valid filing date14 / 14 records

71.4%Ordered incident and filing dates10 / 14 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1978	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2100.0% ODI 526425 MAP SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK Look up ODI 526425 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body:Door	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 810042 WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FRONT WIRING HARNESS FAILURE WHEN UNDERSIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, SHORT CIRCUITING POWER DOOR LOCKS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE, MOTORIST WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE ONLY TO GET DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. *AK Look up ODI 810042 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 533865 AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK Look up ODI 533865 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 519076 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, ALTERNATOR FALFUNCTIONED THREE TIMES. *AK Look up ODI 519076 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 969662 EXPERIENCING ENGINE STALLING. HAD FIXED SEVERAL TIMES, STILL STALLS. TT Look up ODI 969662 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 810042 WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FRONT WIRING HARNESS FAILURE WHEN UNDERSIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, SHORT CIRCUITING POWER DOOR LOCKS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE, MOTORIST WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE ONLY TO GET DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. *AK Look up ODI 810042 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	1100.0% ODI 10577853 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1978 CADILLAC CIMARRON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ Look up ODI 10577853 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 526425 MAP SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK Look up ODI 526425 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 533865 AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK Look up ODI 533865 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1987: 0 complaints · 1988: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1987	0	0	0
1988	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1987	1	1	0
1988	1	1	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System:Ignition:Module	Structure:Body:Door	Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	Electrical System:Ignition	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	—	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 526425 MAP SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK Look up ODI 526425 at NHTSA ↗	0
Structure:Body:Door	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 810042 WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FRONT WIRING HARNESS FAILURE WHEN UNDERSIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, SHORT CIRCUITING POWER DOOR LOCKS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE, MOTORIST WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE ONLY TO GET DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. *AK Look up ODI 810042 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 533865 AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK Look up ODI 533865 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Ignition	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	1 ODI 810042 WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FRONT WIRING HARNESS FAILURE WHEN UNDERSIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, SHORT CIRCUITING POWER DOOR LOCKS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE, MOTORIST WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE ONLY TO GET DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. *AK Look up ODI 810042 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	1 ODI 526425 MAP SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK Look up ODI 526425 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	0	1 ODI 533865 AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK Look up ODI 533865 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 28.6% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10577853

Look up ODI 10577853 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 705880

1. ENGINE STALLS WHEN ENGAGING IN DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL. 2. WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL OR MAKING A TURN. 3. PAINT DELAMINATING (PEELING) ON ROOF AND HOOD.

Look up ODI 705880 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 526425

MAP SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

Look up ODI 526425 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 7.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 46,767 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10173855 · 46,767 mi

Look up ODI 10173855 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b