RoadVitals

1990 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.
76
Latest Dec 16, 2015
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.
12
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 76 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Cadillac Deville, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

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
90E043004

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Oct 30, 1990
39 units potentially affected
The defect: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
The risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASESTO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA91019ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Mar 22, 1991
Closed Mar 25, 1992

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE91029ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE LINKAGE INTERFER

Opened Jan 7, 1991
Closed Apr 16, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE91016ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Nov 26, 1990
Closed Mar 22, 1991

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 76
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 16, 2015
Crash reported

THE CAR WHILE TURNING INTERMITTENTLY DIES AND LOOSES ANY ACCELERATION STALLS AND MOST OF THE TIME STARTS BACK UP WHEN LIFTING FOOT OF THE GAS AND SOMETIMES DIES. ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN SOMETIMES VERY QUICKLY. THE CAR STALLING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN GOT ME T-BONED BY SOMEONE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS DEFECT IS GOING TO GET SOMEBODY KILLED.

NHTSA ID
10810706
Incident
Dec 15, 2015
Mileage
95,346 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 16, 2010

THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. ON WARM DAYS, WHEN DRIVING WITH AIRCONDITIONING.TURNED ON, THE CAR STALLS AND THEN QUICKLY STARTS UP AGAIN. NO NOTICE FROM COMPUTER PROBLEM LIGHT. NOTE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER DEALER CHECK.........ONE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT IS THE BAFFLE AROUND THE FUEL TAKE THAT CUTS THE IGNITION OUT AND I SHOULD KEEP FUEL COMPLETELY FILLED TO TOP OR AT LEAST HALF FULL. YESTERDAY WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN, IT WAS WARM IN LOS ANGELS, HAD 11 GALLONS IN TANK AND STILL HAD PROBLEM. NO RECALL WAS EVER INITIATED BY US GOVERNMENT OR GM. MY CAR IS A 1990 CAD WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES AND MAINTAINED REGULARLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10336637
Incident
Jun 6, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 30, 2009

CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WITH SPEED AT 100+ MILES PER HOUR. THE BRAKES FAILED/ WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ACCELERATOR MOVED AWAY FROM MY FOOT. THIS HAPPEN A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES WITH MY CAR. EACH TIME THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS A 1990 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE, 4 DOOR. THE TOYOTA RECALL DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT HAPPEN TO MY CAR. THE 911 CALL TELEVISED ON THE NEWS WITH THE FAMILY THAT WAS KILLED IN THE TOYOTA CAR, THE CALLER SAID "THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL AND THE BRAKES HAD FAILED". THIS IS WHAT I REMEMBER WITH MY INCIDENTS AND THIS BROUGHT BACK THOSE MEMORIES. I HOPE THIS CAN HELP. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS THE FLOOR MATS, THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER AT FIRST AND THEN SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. I DID SENT A COMPLAINT TO GMC IN DETROIT, MI BUT NEVER HEARD BACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285864
Incident
Oct 19, 2001
Mileage
157,745 mi
AirbagsEngineSteering
Filed May 10, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SMOKE FOR THIRTY SECONDS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR TWO MONTHS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE AXLE WHEN MAKING A LEFT AND RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 175,512 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,480.

NHTSA ID
10190429
Incident
May 9, 2007
Mileage
175,480 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 7, 2007

GAS LEAK UNDER THE CAR, GAS LINE RUSTED, TANK RUSTED. LINE AND TANK REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10189955
Incident
Nov 18, 1994
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 19, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FOR ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS AND THEN THE ACCELERATION STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A CADILLAC DEALER. THE LOCAL MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE ON 3 OCCASIONS AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. REPAIR INVOICES WERE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 44,356. *AK

NHTSA ID
10185494
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
44,356 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 1, 2004
1 injury reported

THE TRUNK LID SHUT AND LOCKED WITH CONSUMER'S HAND STUCK IN IT. A NEIGHBOR HAD TO PRY OPEN THE TRUNK WITH A TIRE IRON. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK TRUNK LID WAS FROZEN, WHEN HAND WAS STUCK IN THE LID, THE LOCK SETTING MISALIGNED. INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE, BOTH IN COLD TEMPERATURE. CONSUMER SUSPECTED THE ICING AROUND THE TRUNK WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, EVEN THE USE OF A KEY WON'T UNLOCK THE TRUNK. *LA

NHTSA ID
10059786
Incident
Feb 25, 2004
Mileage
111,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 19, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE CONSUMER SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 48 MPH. THE CONSUMER CAME UPON A VEHICLE THAT WAS MAKING A TURN THEREFORE SHE HAD TO SLOW DOWN. SHE STATED SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. SHE THEN PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DIDN'T SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER BLACKED OUT FOR A MINUTE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE CAME TO SHE WAS HANGING OFF AN EMBANKMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE STATES THAT HER CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONSUMER WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONSUMER HAS RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT A LOT OF CADILLAC'S ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10059351
Incident
Feb 19, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1990Viewing762362.2
1989481046.9
1988281250.3
1987402358.6
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.