1990 Cadillac Deville Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Cadillac Deville, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes2324.0%
- Driver assistance2121.9%
- Engine1010.4%
- Electrical77.3%
- Airbags66.3%
- Tires & wheels66.3%
- Transmission55.2%
- Fuel system44.2%
- Steering33.1%
- Seat belts22.1%
- Other / unspecified22.1%
- Suspension22.1%
- Heating & air conditioning22.1%
- Body & structure22.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ABS IS MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THER E WILL BE NO BRAKES, UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. REPLACED PART TWICES. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A JBS TECHNOLOGY REMOTE STARTER PROBLEM WHICH HE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS CALLED THE BULLDOG REMOTE CONTROL STARTER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN AN HEAD-ON COLLISION ,AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MICHELIN, TPG SPEC, P205/70H15, DOT M3H3819X409, REPLACEMENT TIRES WITH 10000 MILES ON A 1990, CADILLAC COUPE DEVILLE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BELT SEPARATION, THEN, ON 24 JUNE 2002, LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BELT SEPARATION.*AK *JG
THE MICHELIN TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING A POSSIBLE COLLSION WITH ONE INJURY (LIMITED INFORMATION PROVIDED). *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIFE LEFT CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN PARK, EXITED THE CAR WALKED TO THE TOP OF THE DRIVE TO PICK UP RAKES PROCEEDED BACK BEHIND AND PAST THE CAR WHEN THE CAR CRASHED INTO HER CRITICALLY INJURIING HER.*AK
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND PLACING IT INTO NEUTRAL VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE, CRASHING INTO A PICNIC TABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
GAS LEAK UNDER THE CAR, GAS LINE RUSTED, TANK RUSTED. LINE AND TANK REPLACED. *AK
BARRINGTON MOTOR WORKS HAD MADE MORE EXCUSES THAN FIX PROBLEMS, OTHER PROBLEMS EXIST, BUT TOO MANY TO LIST. THE BARRINGTON MW HAS NEVER ONCE FOUND A PROBLEM TILL THE CAR LEAVES US STRANDED, EVEN AFTER WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. UNTIL I FIND A DECENT GM DEALER, THIS IS THE LAST GM FOR US, WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF CADILLAC DEALERS, AND WE HAVE BEEN TO MANY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE ROAD, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEAR ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVERS SEAT-BELT LATCH NO LONGER WILL RETAIN THE BUCKLE WHEN INSERTED. *LA
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER AND SHE WAS THROWN ALL OVER THE CAR. TT AN OFFICER STATED THAT THE FORCE AND ANGLE OF IMPACT WERE NOT ENOUGH TO ENGAGE SEAT BELT, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
BARRINGTON MOTOR WORKS HAD MADE MORE EXCUSES THAN FIX PROBLEMS, OTHER PROBLEMS EXIST, BUT TOO MANY TO LIST. THE BARRINGTON MW HAS NEVER ONCE FOUND A PROBLEM TILL THE CAR LEAVES US STRANDED, EVEN AFTER WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. UNTIL I FIND A DECENT GM DEALER, THIS IS THE LAST GM FOR US, WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF CADILLAC DEALERS, AND WE HAVE BEEN TO MANY.
ENGINE BLOCK LEAKING DUE TO FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE BLOCK LEAKING DUE TO FAILURE.
REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS ARE CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR TIRES. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
BARRINGTON MOTOR WORKS HAD MADE MORE EXCUSES THAN FIX PROBLEMS, OTHER PROBLEMS EXIST, BUT TOO MANY TO LIST. THE BARRINGTON MW HAS NEVER ONCE FOUND A PROBLEM TILL THE CAR LEAVES US STRANDED, EVEN AFTER WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. UNTIL I FIND A DECENT GM DEALER, THIS IS THE LAST GM FOR US, WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF CADILLAC DEALERS, AND WE HAVE BEEN TO MANY.
ENGINE BLOCK LEAKING DUE TO FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN / INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE CAUSED BY DEF GROUNDING SYSTEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THEREIS VIRBATION WITHIN THE VEHICLE DUE TO A BROKEN SHAFT AXLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .