1992 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 1992 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
- Fuel system3118.9%
- Engine2515.2%
- Brakes2414.6%
- Electrical169.8%
- Driver assistance116.7%
- Airbags106.1%
- Body & structure95.5%
- Powertrain (other)74.3%
- Seat belts74.3%
- Transmission42.4%
- Other / unspecified42.4%
- Exterior lighting31.8%
- Heating & air conditioning31.8%
- Interior & seats31.8%
- Suspension21.2%
- Steering21.2%
- Visibility21.2%
- Tires & wheels10.6%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A GAS TANK PROBLEM. WHEN THE GAS TANK WENT DOWN TO 5 OR 6 GALLONS WHILE TURNING A CORNER GAS WOULD NOT CONTINUE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ALTHOUGH THIS DEFECT OCCURRED WHEN ON THE STRAIGHT AWAY IT WAS MORE OBVIOUS WHEN TURNING THE CORNER. CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS QUESTIONING THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE INFORMATION HE RECEIVED CONCERNING THE GAS TANK REPLACEMENT. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHILE DRIVING ALONG- VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW UP. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, HER HUSBAND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. HUSBAND WENT AROUND, LIFTED THE HOOD, THEN LOOKED AROUND TO THE REAR, AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF VEHICLE. BY THE TIME THEY GOT THE FAMILY OUT OF VEHICLE AND STARTED ACROSSING THE STREET THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THEY PUT THE FIRE OUT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE GAS TANK.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MILES AND HOUR AND THE ENGINE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CAR AFTERWARDS, IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON FOUR BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD DISINTEGRATED / DRY ROTTED AND THE BOLTS THAT WERE HOLDING THE ENGINE INTO CAR WERE SEVERLY RUSTED WHICH RESULTED IN LETTING THE ENGINE DROP OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF THE CAR AND ONLY SLIGHT SURFACE RUST ON VERY LITTLE OF THE CARS UNDERCARRAGE. MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR THE DAY BEFORE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE THIS DRY ROT ON THE ENGINE MOUNTS WHEN THE ENGINE WAS MOUNTED IN CORRECT POSITION.
CONSUMER NOTICED OIL ON THE GROUND WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVED. THE OIL LEAK IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON,AND WHEN I HAVE TO STOP SUDDENLY MY CAR SLIDE SIDEWAYS, CAUSING MY BACK END TO GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK MY CAR INTO GRAY CHEVY-CADILLIAC OF THE POCONOS.AND DID THE SCANN AND SAID IT WAS THE PUMP MOTOR. I HAD IT CHANGED AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AND KNOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE ABS MODULE HAS TO BE CHANGED. IT COST ME THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE DOLLARS AND EIGHTY CENTS TO HAVE THE PUMP MOTOR PUT IN AND KNOW IT'S GOING TO COST MORE MONEY TO PUT IN THE ABS MODULE. I FEEL IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AREN'T WORKING,THEN THAT IS A DANGER TO ME OR ANY ONE ELSE OUT THERE.I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A ONCOMING CAR THAT WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD,IF I WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN HIM COMING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISON. *JB
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR LEAKS, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING, WHICH WAS REPLACED, MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS RELACED AGAIN. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS D BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE.*SLC
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL INFORMATION. WHEN THE CAR WAS FINALLY STOPPED, THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED BECAUSE THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE AND THERE ARE NO DOOR LOCK KNOBS AVAILABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, NO WINDOWS COULD BE OPERATED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER AVAILABLE TO OPERATE THEM. THE END RESULT WAS THAT PASSENGERS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT OTHER THAN BREAKING THE GLASS OF ONE OF THE WINDOWS AND UNLOCKING THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE ARE NO OVERRIDE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FROM WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FOR THIS PROBLEM. A PERSON WHO IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONTROL THE CAR ONCE THE POWER STEERING IS LOST (E.G. A SMALL WOMAN, AN ELDERLY PERSON) COULD VERY EASILY HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT AND IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN A FIRE, THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE OCCUPANTS TO ESCAPE FROM THE CAR. DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM REVEALED THE BATTERY CABLES HAD APPARENTLY WORKED LOOSE OR HAD NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AFTER REPLACEMENT OF A CAM SENSOR AT A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THIS EPISODE. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING IS SIGNIFICANTLY DANGEROUS IN THIS VEHICLE AND SERIOUSLY THREATENS THE LIVES OF PASSENGERS AND PUTS THEM IN A VERY HIGH RISK SITUATION. HAD THIS EPISODE HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS DEFECT IS A LIFE THREATENING DESIGN DEFECT AND REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE PRIORITY FIX BY GM. *NLM
BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION (AT ANY SPEED) RESULTS IN IGNITION CUT-OFF AND THE CAR STOPS RUNNING. BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION SHUTS OFF THE IGNITION AND INTERRUPTS ALL ELECTRIC POWER IN THE CAR. PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAVE HAD AUTO IN TO CADILLAC REPAIR SHOP 3 TIMES FOR REPLACE OF THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND PROBLEM STILL EXCISTS. MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE REASON FOR PROBLEM OF GAS PEDAL ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. IT CREATES A REAL SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR IN CITY. *AK
FRONTAL COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30MPH. THROTTLE WENT WIDE OPEN AFTER INITIAL IMPACT,CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY HIT TREE. ALSO, NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK
I MENTIONED THIS TO WOODY BARWICK CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY. THE HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER WAS SUPRISED IT DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH WHEN I RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. HIGHWAY PATROL STATED I DID NTO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACCIDENT. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEEL LUGS AND NUTS ON 8/01/03 WHILE DRIVING ON 279E RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOISE AND TERRIBLE VIBRATION OF FRONT END OF CAR. MADE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. 3 LUGS WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE OTHER 2 WERE READY TO FALL OFF. NEAR MISS CAUSING MUTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. HAD ALL 5 LUGS AND NUTS REPLACED. SEPT. 1, 03 HEARD A STRANGE NOISE, FIRST THING I CHECKED WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE LUGS AND SURE ENOUGH ALL 5 LUG NUTS ARE ONLY BEING HELD BY 2 OR 3 THREADS. THERE IS ONLY 76,001 MILES ON THIS CAR. ALSO WHILE CHECKING FLUIDS UNDER HOOD, THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON MY BACK CAUSING BRUISING. THE GAS HINGES FAILING.*AK
CONSUMER STATES SHE NOTICED A SLICE HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE FRONT FENDER, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS KEPT IN A GARAGE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *SLC
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MILES AND HOUR AND THE ENGINE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CAR AFTERWARDS, IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON FOUR BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD DISINTEGRATED / DRY ROTTED AND THE BOLTS THAT WERE HOLDING THE ENGINE INTO CAR WERE SEVERLY RUSTED WHICH RESULTED IN LETTING THE ENGINE DROP OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF THE CAR AND ONLY SLIGHT SURFACE RUST ON VERY LITTLE OF THE CARS UNDERCARRAGE. MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR THE DAY BEFORE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE THIS DRY ROT ON THE ENGINE MOUNTS WHEN THE ENGINE WAS MOUNTED IN CORRECT POSITION.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED OIL BURNING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER LOCATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V199000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY); HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,725 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 3/18/08 *CN UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR
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 DRIVER SEATBELT BUCKLE WAS STUCK AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO UNBUCKLE THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT. DRIVER HAD TO CUT THE SEATBELT IN ORDER TO GET OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AROUND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED. HAD TO GET IT CUT OFF. SOMETHING BROKE OFF INSIDE THE LOCKING MECHANISM. *AK
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
ENGINE, HAVE HAD THE HEAD GASKET FAIL AT 71,000 MILES, HAD ENGINE REBUILT, NOW AT 92,000 MILES HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN, HAD MECHANIC REPLACE IT, HOWEVER THE BOLT HOLE IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK HAS HAD THE THREADS STRIP OUT AT ONLY 40 LBS. OF TORQUE AND DEALER CAN OFFER NO POSSIBLE REPAIR ADVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, HAVING A NEW ENGINE PUT IN VEHICLE AT THIS TIME, ALSO CLEAR COAT FINISH ON UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF FRONT FENDER HAS COME OFF CAUSING THE DARK BLUE FINISH TO BECOME WHITE. CAR ALSO DIES RANDOMLY WHEN PULLING UP TO STOP LIGHTS OR SLOWING DOWN. ALSO HAVING ALL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE OF TWO MOUNTS. EXPECT MORE FROM CADILLAC THAN THIS TYPE OF LOW QUALITY. *LA
MITCHELL REPAIR INFORMATION LISTS CAMPAIGN NO: 94V199000 FOR UPPER TRANS AXLE OIL COOLER HOSE PULLING OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT TRANS AXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. MY CAR IS LEAKING IN THAT AREA NOW, SO I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. ON NHTSA WEB SITE, THE CAMPAIGN IS NO LONGER LISTED. HOW DO I GET MY UNSAFE CAR REPAIRED.*AK
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
WHEEL LUGS AND NUTS ON 8/01/03 WHILE DRIVING ON 279E RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOISE AND TERRIBLE VIBRATION OF FRONT END OF CAR. MADE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. 3 LUGS WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE OTHER 2 WERE READY TO FALL OFF. NEAR MISS CAUSING MUTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. HAD ALL 5 LUGS AND NUTS REPLACED. SEPT. 1, 03 HEARD A STRANGE NOISE, FIRST THING I CHECKED WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE LUGS AND SURE ENOUGH ALL 5 LUG NUTS ARE ONLY BEING HELD BY 2 OR 3 THREADS. THERE IS ONLY 76,001 MILES ON THIS CAR. ALSO WHILE CHECKING FLUIDS UNDER HOOD, THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON MY BACK CAUSING BRUISING. THE GAS HINGES FAILING.*AK
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THE PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ON SIX OCCASIONS. SCC
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
CONSUMER STATED THAT BY BEING SLIGHTLY DEAF, HE IS NOT ABLE TO HEAR WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS LEFT ON. CONSUMER REQUESTS A SUPPLEMENTAL FIX OF A LOUDER TURN SIGNAL SOUND THAT WILL ALERT CONSUMER WHEN THE SIGNAL HAS BEEN LEFT ON. *MR *JG *NLM
WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING WHINNING NOISE TO COME FROM ENGINE. NLM
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
WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING WHINNING NOISE TO COME FROM ENGINE. NLM
STARTER FAILED TWICE.
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
WHILE CHECKING COOLANT HOOD SUDDLENLY WITHOUT WARNING FELL AND LATCHED WITH MY HAND TRAPPED UNDER IT, RESULTING IN SEVERE NERVE AND SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE TO MY LEFT HAND. PHYSICAL THERAPY FAILED TO RESTORE FEELING AND RELIEVE PAIN, RESULTING IN SURGERY TO FREE UP THE DAMAGED NERVES SO THEY COULD HEAL. AFTER 6 MONTHS THE FEELING IS STILL NOT 100% RESTORED IN MY LEFT HAND, WHICH IS NOW VERY SENSITIVE TO COLD.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 20MPH DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, AND IT ROCKED TO THE BACK.CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK
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
WHEEL HUB BEARING BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT.
SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILED. *SD
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
WATER PUMP COMING LOOSE AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, CAUSING FAN BELT TO BREAK, LOOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. HAPPENED AGAIN AT 115741 MILES. *AK
VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW CAR TO START. *SD
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
WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING WHINNING NOISE TO COME FROM ENGINE. NLM
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE IN HEAVY SNOW , THE MOTOR WILL SHUT AUTOMATICALLY, CAUSING VISUAL PROBLEMS. *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
WHILE DRIVING 60MPH HEARD TIRE HIT VEHICLE. STOPPED AND CHECKED VEHICLE. NOTICED LEFT REAR TIRE HAD LOST MAJORITY OF ITS TREAD. REPLACED THAT TIRE WITH SPARE. FIRESTONE M+S, P20570R15 WITH 36900 MILES ON A 1992, CADILLAC, DEVILLE. *AK THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED, VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED FROM TIRE FAILURE, FIRESTONE TIRE DOT NUMBER HYM0M1A375. *SLC
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 .