RoadVitals

1991 Cadillac Deville Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
87
Latest Oct 13, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
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.
17

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 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

  • Brakes2928.7%
  • Engine1615.8%
  • Electrical1110.9%
  • Driver assistance76.9%
  • Airbags44.0%
  • Transmission44.0%
  • Powertrain (other)33.0%
  • Steering33.0%
  • Interior & seats33.0%
  • Seat belts33.0%
  • Visibility22.0%
  • Exterior lighting22.0%
  • Tires & wheels11.0%
  • Other / unspecified11.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning11.0%

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.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 851761 · filed Oct 26, 1999

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

NHTSA ID 837735 · filed May 11, 1999
All 29 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10758493 · filed Aug 21, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10316438 · filed Mar 4, 2010
All 16 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10683262 · filed Feb 13, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10131090 · filed Aug 2, 2005
All 11 reports naming electrical

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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!

NHTSA ID 11140192 · filed Oct 13, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 10758493 · filed Aug 21, 2015
All 11 reports naming fuel system

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10316438 · filed Mar 4, 2010

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

NHTSA ID 727626 · filed Aug 11, 2000

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH CONSUMER REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE BUMPER WENT UNDERNEATH VEHICLE THAT WAS HIT. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID 834657 · filed Feb 9, 1999

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY.

NHTSA ID 525057 · filed Nov 18, 1997

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ID 515407 · filed Mar 11, 1997

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID 802318 · filed Sep 12, 1996

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 9004012 · filed Sep 24, 2001

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

NHTSA ID 706342 · filed May 8, 1999

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10223155 · filed Apr 2, 2008

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *DH

NHTSA ID 503194 · filed Apr 1, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10683262 · filed Feb 13, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 859036 · filed Mar 22, 2000

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 746266 · filed Jun 1, 2001

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

NHTSA ID 842353 · filed Aug 12, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 566695 · filed Jul 18, 2002

DEFROSTER/HEATER FAILED. *SD

NHTSA ID 503095 · filed Apr 2, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING HARD STOPS THE ABS SYSTEM SWERVES SHARPLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA ID 523830 · filed Oct 27, 1997

SEARS BATTERY CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOOSE GAS MILEAGE. EVEN WHEN THE COMPUTERS BEEN RESET. TT

NHTSA ID 959707 · filed Feb 7, 1995

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER FEELS MOVEMENT OF TIRES POOR STABILITY. DEALER STATES TIRES ARE WAVING. TT

NHTSA ID 966144 · filed May 31, 1995

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 706342 · filed May 8, 1999

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A FAULTY COMPRESSOR. *AK

NHTSA ID 517842 · filed Jul 11, 1997

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

Data on this page last refreshed .