RoadVitals

1987 Cadillac Deville

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
40
Latest Dec 17, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
2 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 40 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Cadillac Deville, most frequently naming the engine, steering and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1839.1%
  • Steering613.0%
  • Brakes510.9%
  • Electrical36.5%
  • Body & structure36.5%
  • Interior & seats24.3%
  • Transmission24.3%
  • Visibility12.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
87V093000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Jun 23, 1987
6,004 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.
The risk: LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.
The remedy: THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA89028ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR BRAKE PIN

Opened Jul 28, 1989
Closed Jul 27, 1990

SUMMARY:THESE VEHICLES HAVE REAR DRUM BRAKES.THE PARKING LEVER PIVOTPIN IS HELD BY AN E RING.WHEN THE RING FAILS, PARTS OF THE RING ANDPIN FALL LOOSE INTO THE DRUM AND MAY JAM THE BRAKE, LOCKING THE WHEEL.A STRONGER E RING IS USED IN 1988 AND NEWER CARS.THIS INVESTIGATIONHAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE GMS C BODY CARS LISTED ABOVE (E RING COMMONTO ALL CARS SHOWN).===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89098ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ANTI LOCK BRAKES

Opened Mar 10, 1989
Closed May 17, 1989

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA88031ClosedEngineering Analysis

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Apr 22, 1988
Closed Oct 23, 1989

STATUS:ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS IN PROGRESS.HOWEVER, NEITHER NHTSA OF GM HAS IDENTIFIED A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THATCOULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.SOME VEHICLES IN THIS GROUP WEREFOUND POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE RESTRICTIONS, AND WERERECALLED ALONG WITH H CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS.INVESTIGATION ISCONTINUING.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 40
Electrical
Filed Dec 17, 2014
Fire reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL AND THERE WAS OIL SEEN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PARK, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES FROM THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AND BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10664900
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 19, 2005

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE GOODYEAR VIVA 2 TIRES SOLD AT WALMART. I HAD PURCHASED TWO TIRES IN AUGUST OF 2005. WHEN I WAS FIRST SOLD THESE TIRES I ASKED THE ASSOCIATE SELLING THE TIRES IF THESE TIRES WERE APPROVED FOR ALL SEASON DRIVING. THE ASSOCIATE ASSURED ME THEY WERE. I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR YESTERDAY I SLID ON A PIECE OF ICE AND HAD NO TRACTION. IF I WAS NOT AN EXPERIENCED WINTER DRIVER I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND WRECKED IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COMPANY STOP ADVERTISING THESE TIRES AS ALL SEASON TIRES ,BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOOD FOR WINTER ICE CONDITIONS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143247
Incident
Nov 18, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Aug 12, 2005

DT: CONSUMER SAID MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME RUSTED. CONSUMER HAD HARBOR MOTORS IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO RUSTED MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH MANUFACTURER, AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH ANSWER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS AN OLD CAR WITH 174,000 MILES ON IT. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE IS 95% RUST FREE ON THE BODY SHEET METALS. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10127790
Incident
Jun 26, 2005
Mileage
168,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Apr 25, 2005
Fire reported

1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID
10119094
Incident
Jul 21, 1996
Mileage
108,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2004

CONSUMER STATED BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON. AS A RESULT, P0WER ASSIST FOR FRONT BRAKES FAILED. RECALL 87V093000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *TC

NHTSA ID
10087584
Incident
Aug 9, 2004
Mileage
50,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2002

VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003681
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Engine
Filed Nov 27, 2001

HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ENGINE DID NOT COME ON.CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
899496
Incident
Nov 24, 2001
Visibility
Filed Aug 6, 2001

WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT WILL NOT VENTILATE COOL AIR JUST LIKE A REGULAR FAN, AND WHEN HEATER IS TURN ON HOT, AIR WILL NOT COME OUT FROM BOTTOM, IT WILL COME OUT THROUGH TOP INTO CONSUMER'S FACE.*AK

NHTSA ID
893590
Incident
Aug 6, 2001

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Deville by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005951042.4
20041671044.6
20031444051.7
20021765053.9
20011754159.9
20002255159.6
19991871254.3
19982373358.5
19972692555.2
19962182557.5
19951292660.7
19941270449.0
1993921048.8
19921351154.0
1991871458.1
1990762362.2
1989481046.9
1988281250.3
1987Viewing402358.6
1986223556.5
1985192455.8
1984613—
1983513—
1982321—
1981100—
1979110—
1978440—
1977120—
1976300—
1974210—
1973100—
1972020—
1971010—
1964100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.