1991 Cadillac Deville

Routine

Owners filed 87 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip20
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline7
010
Electrical System3
020
Air Bags › Frontal3
303
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal2
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
101
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads2
100
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
010

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Axle Assembly94V199000
Filed Oct 13, 1994403,273 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF SEPARATION OF THE COUPLING, AN OIL LEAK CAN OCCUR WHICH, WHEN EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE TO THE TRANSAXLE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 13, 201889,000 milesTN

VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FUEL UNDERNEATH AT THE NYLON FUEL LINE. I HAD IT REPAIRED AND IT STARTED LEAKING IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. APPARENTLY THE ENTIRE LINE IS FAULTY AND I CANNOT EVEN SEEM TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. FIRE HAZARD!

Engine
Filed Aug 21, 201550,000 milesWI

I HAD NO IDEA THIS VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL I ACTUALLY OWN A 1984 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE, IT HAD A GAS LEAK WHICH ROTTED OUT THE TIMING CHAIN CASING, AND KNOCKED TEETH DOWN INTO THE GEAR BOX. I JUST REALIZED THIS CAR WAS RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE FUEL LEAKS AND THE ROTTING PARTS UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PAID NEARLY 6,000 IN 2004 THINKING I WAS BUYING A GREAT COLLECTOR ONE TIME PREVIOUS OWNER. THEN I ENDED UP WITH A LEMON, I STORED IT CAUSE I SEE THEY SELL FOR AROUND 35K FIXED UP. BUT I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD STILL BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL THE ENGINE AND FUEL PUMP WORK.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 13, 2015110,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM WAS FAULTY, WHICH ALLOWED THE DOORS TO OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2010105,000 milesCA

MY 1991 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM (AS HAD THE 1985 CADILLAC) WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION/ENGINE RACING. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL OR STOP SIGN. THOUGH MY FOOT WILL BE FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR ENGINE RACES AND THEN THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. MY SOLUTION? I KEEP A GOOD DISTANCE BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO PREVENT THE LURCHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL AT SOME POINT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, WHETHER IT IS PARKING THE CAR OR WHEN THE FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE MOMENTARILY OR WHEN THE FOOT IS ON THE GAS PEDAL. HAVE THERE BEEN RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY, AS I HAVE NOT OWNED THE 1985 CAR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS? DO YOU KNOW OF ANY SOLUTIONS TO THIS DISTURBING PROBLEM. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Apr 2, 200850,000 milesTX

POWER STEERING PUMP OVERHEATS & LEAKS. REPLACED TWICE. RETURNED TO MECHANIC 4/2/08 FOR 3RD REPLACEMENT. PUMP GOT SO HOT THE DIPSTICK MELTED. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 2, 2005135,696 milesNY

AT THE END OF SHORT 20 MILE TRIP AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED SMOKE & FLAMES COMING OUT OF HOOD / ENGINE. THE ACTION OF DRIVING, PARKING AND FIRE WAS SIMULTANEOUS. I CAN NOT SAY FOR CERTAIN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE THREE EVENTS HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I LEFT THE CAR IN PARK AT THE END OF DRIVEWAY WENT INSIDE THE HOME AND HAD MY SON CALLED THE POLICE AND FIRE ( 911 ). BY THIS TIME THERE WAS THICK SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT OF CAR. INITIALLY THE SMOKE WAS WHITE WHICH LATER TURNED TO BLACK. THE SMOKE WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH REGULAR FLAMES AND OCCASIONAL FLARE UPS. THE HOOD WAS LOCKED UP AS WELL AND THE POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, INCLUDING ALL PLASTIC PARTS, MAJORITY METAL COMPONENTS, ENGINE HEAD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, COOLING SYSTEM, AND OTHER MAJOR COMPONENTS ARE BURNED UP. THE FRONT INSTRUMENT PANEL, PARTS OF THE ROOF COVER, ENGINE HOOD, FRONT BUMPER, SIDE FENDERS, GRILL ETC. IS ALSO BURNED UP. UNDER CARRIAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BURNED UP AS WELL. THE CAR IS TOTAL LOSS AND BEYOND REPAIRS. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1 injured
Filed Jul 18, 2002KY

THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE WINDOW LOCK SWITCH FAILED, CONSUMERS GRANDCHILD WAS STICKING HER HEAD OUT THE WINDOW WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHILDS NECK AND HEAD WERE BEING SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND FRAME, CHILD SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.*YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › FanFire
Filed Apr 17, 2002TX

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOUR MILES, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN COOLING FAN. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM PER INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THE HOT SPOT WAS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE FENDER AND THE TIRE HAD BEEN CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. ALSO THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THAT IT FUSED THE HOOD TO THE RADIATOR AND THE FIREMEN HAD TO USE SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS TO COMPLETELY DOUSE THE FLAMES. SCC

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 9, 2002IL

WHEN VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF GAS, AND WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN OR GOING UP HILLS, VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOTED THAT INTAKE VALVE IN TANK WAS NOT REGISTERING THAT THERE WAS FUEL.*AK *SLC

Power Train
Filed Sep 24, 2001OR

VEHICLE TAKES OFF WHEN STARTED IN NEUTRAL, COULD THIS CAUSE THE ECM TO BECOME OUT OF WHACK, SOMETIME WILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY, IT STALLS AND RESTARTED IN NEUTRAL VEHICLE TAKES OFF.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jun 1, 2001CA

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT FUNCTION. IT WILL NOT LATCH TO FASTEN DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. CONTACTED GM & THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE & THE CAR SEAT BELT SHOULD NOT EXPERIENCE FAILURE AT ONLY 47,000 MILES. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 11, 2000OK

CAR WAS AT COMPLETE STOP: ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND TAKES OFF ON ITS OWN.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch1 injured
Filed Mar 22, 2000AZ

CONSUMER WENT TO PUT WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID. OPENED HOOD, AND PNEUMATIC HOOD SUPPORTS WHICH IS THIN, AND INADEQUATE FOR S UCH A HEAVY LOAD, FAILED TO HOLD, AND CAME CRASHING DOWN ONTO CONSUMER'S HAND. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Mar 22, 2000AZ

CONSUMER WAS INSTALLING WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, AND HOOD CAME DOWN ON HER HANDS. SHE SAID THAT PNEUMATIC SUPPORTS FOR THE HOOD WERE DEFECTIVE AND INADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Oct 26, 1999NY

THE FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. ALSO THE BRAKES GRIND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 8, 1999KS

UPON ACCELERATION WHILETRAVELING DOWN AN INCLINE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT/OIL LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 12, 1999NY

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE CONSUMER'S GRAND CHILD. SEA TBELT BUCKLE BUTTON WOULD NOT RELEASE CHILD. WAS ABLE TO WIGGLE CHILD OUT OF SAFETY BELT. DEALER / MFR. NOTIFIED. DEALER DID NOT WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 24, 1999NV

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHENEVER VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP OR MAKES A TURN. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON 14 OCCASIONS, AND CONDITION STILL OCCURRING. SEEKING HELP IN NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 11, 1999NY

INTERMIITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A PANIC STOP, THE VEHICLE SWERVES, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. TSB #315004 HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed May 8, 1999MI

HAD NEW BEARING REPLACED ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ON 3-26-99, WHEEL CAME OFF CAR WHILE DRIVING ON 5-7-1999, ALL STUDS HAD BROKEN OFF BEARING AND WHEEL CAME OFF. THE PART WAS MADE BY FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION, AND PURCHASED THRU CARQUEST BY DAVISON AUTOMOTIVE WHO INSTALLED IT! I HAVE THE PART, BUT MECHANIC REQUESTS IT .DO I NEED TO KEEP IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT? NO ONE SEEMS INTERESTED, THIS COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE! I SEEM TO BE THE ONLY ONE TAKING IT SERIOUSLY, BUT DONT KNOW WHO TO REPORT TO! PLEASE RESPOND, THANK YOU. *AK

20 of 87 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200595110Routine
2004167140Routine
2003145400Routine
2002176521Fatalities reported
2001175430Routine
2000225541Fatalities reported
1999187143Fatalities reported
1998237312Fatalities reported
1997269280Above average
1996218270Above average
1995129266Fatalities reported
1994127080Routine
1993921140Routine
19921351130Routine
1991 — this page87190Routine
199076220Routine

Compare every Deville year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 13, 1994. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.