1991 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 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%
- Fuel system1110.9%
- 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.
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
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
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.
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
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.
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
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!
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
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
CAR WAS AT COMPLETE STOP: ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND TAKES OFF ON ITS OWN.
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
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
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY.
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
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL. *AK
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
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.
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
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
POWER STEERING PUMP OVERHEATS & LEAKS. REPLACED TWICE. RETURNED TO MECHANIC 4/2/08 FOR 3RD REPLACEMENT. PUMP GOT SO HOT THE DIPSTICK MELTED. *TR
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *DH
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
DEFROSTER/HEATER FAILED. *SD
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING HARD STOPS THE ABS SYSTEM SWERVES SHARPLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY.
SEARS BATTERY CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOOSE GAS MILEAGE. EVEN WHEN THE COMPUTERS BEEN RESET. TT
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
DRIVER FEELS MOVEMENT OF TIRES POOR STABILITY. DEALER STATES TIRES ARE WAVING. TT
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
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
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
AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A FAULTY COMPRESSOR. *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 .