Model year guide

1985 Cadillac eldorado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Cadillac eldorado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

1985 Cadillac eldorado at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints10
Combined17–20 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1985 Cadillac eldorado recalls 2

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #89V102000 · 16/06/1989

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Fix: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls NHTSA Campaign #87V167000 · 26/10/1987

WATER OR SNOW DRIPPING ONTO DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SWITCH ASSEMBLIES MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND SWITCHES TO OVERHEAT.

Fix: INSTALL NEWLY DESIGNED WINDOW SWITCHES. (1984 MODELS WILL RECEIVE NEW CONNECTORS ALSO).

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1985 Cadillac eldorado common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1985 Cadillac eldorado MPG & running costs

Combined17–20 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,233
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,167 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1985 Cadillac eldorado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,165
Fuel only$21,165
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1985 Cadillac eldorado trims & engines on record

Engines
4.1L 8-cyl

1985 Cadillac eldorado vehicles on record

Other Cadillac eldorado model years

1985 Cadillac eldorado — frequently asked questions

Does the 1985 Cadillac eldorado have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Cadillac eldorado. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Cadillac eldorado?

Across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, engine and engine cooling, power train.

What gas mileage does the 1985 Cadillac eldorado get?

The 1985 Cadillac eldorado has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.