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1994 Cadillac Eldorado

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Eldorado.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Cadillac Eldorado is a model whose engine requires 7.5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil and is mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission, yielding EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Owner‑reported trouble for this year totals 39 complaints, with the Engine & Engine Cooling system being the leading problem area and two recalls issued. When viewed against the broader 1990‑2002 complaint history for the Eldorado line—where the 1991 model saw the fewest issues at 13 and the 1996 model peaked at 81—the 1994 figure places it in the middle of the reliability spectrum. This mid‑range total suggests that, while not the most trouble‑free year, the 1994 Eldorado exhibits better reliability than the worst years but falls short of the best.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731179. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179
Engine air filter	19259030
Fuel filter	25121468 alt 25166285
Spark plug	19208535
Front wiper blades	25689175 discontinued
Serpentine belt	19370621 alt 19172679
Thermostat	12559807 alt 03522676

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	202.4 in
Overall width	75.6 in
Overall height	53.9 in
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Curb weight	3774 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 23 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Eldorado of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 1995 Touring Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1993	Touring Coupe 4.6L V8	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	295 hp	FWD
1993	Touring Coupe 4.6L V8	6.70 sec	14.80 sec	295 hp	FWD
1995	Touring Coupe 4.6L V8	6.40 sec	14.80 sec	300 hp	FWD
1995	Touring Coupe 4.6L V8	6.60 sec	14.80 sec	300 hp	FWD
1995	Touring Coupe 4.6L V8	7.20 sec	15.30 sec	300 hp	FWD
1992	Touring Coupe 4.9L V8	7.90 sec	16.10 sec	200 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	7.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1994 Cadillac Eldorado recorded 39 federal complaints, two recalls, two investigations and 16 technical service bulletins. Compared with the preceding year (48 complaints, 20 TSBs, zero investigations) and the following year (74 complaints, 27 TSBs, four investigations), 1994 shows a notable reduction in complaints and a modest decline in TSB volume. The complaint pattern across the generation rises sharply through the early 1990s, peaks in 1995, and then begins a gradual decline, placing 1994 near the trough of that upward swing. Its top complaint categories — Engine & Engine Cooling (7), Electrical System (6), Power Train (5) and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (5) — account for the majority of reported issues, and the single crash‑related complaint and two fire‑related complaints are isolated incidents. Because the 1994 model experiences fewer complaints than its immediate predecessor and successor while maintaining comparable recall activity, it represents a relatively safer choice, though buyers should remain aware of the ongoing investigations; therefore, the 1994 Eldorado can be considered a reasonable, though not optimal, year to purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93’94’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 39 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling7

Electrical System6

Power Train5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Vehicle Speed Control3

Fuel System, Gasoline2

Tires2

Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

94V158000Equipment:Appliance:Air ConditionerReported 31/08/1994

IF THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CONTACTS THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUT HOSE, THE HOSE MAY WEAR THROUGH ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TIE STRAP TO RETAIN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER OUTLET HOSE TO THE AUXILIARY ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR ASSURING…

93V164000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 01/10/1993

THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE RETAINING BRACKET. Remedy: INSPECT THROTTLE CABLES TO ENSURE THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE IS FULLY SEATED IN THE RETAINING BRACKET AND INSTALL A CABLE TIE STRAP TO SECURE THE CABLE IN ITS CORRECT SEAT.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 16 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696D	2019-09-05	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696C	2018-05-31	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
990601019	2006-02-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	ENGINE OIL LEAKS ALONG THE UPPER TO LOWER CRANKCASE JOINT. *TT
01792	2004-01-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	4.0L L47, 4.6L LD8 L37 ENGINE WATER PUMP COVER P/N 12571913- THERMOSTAT LOOSE. ALSO…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Eldorado. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 7.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731179 Engine air filter 19259030 Fuel filter 25121468 Spark plug 19208535

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Eldorado take?

7.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Eldorado have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Eldorado get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.