1994 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 1994 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
- Engine3421.3%
- Brakes1811.3%
- Fuel system1710.6%
- Airbags127.5%
- Electrical116.9%
- Interior & seats106.3%
- Exterior lighting85.0%
- Transmission74.4%
- Visibility74.4%
- Suspension74.4%
- Steering63.8%
- Body & structure63.8%
- Driver assistance63.8%
- Tires & wheels42.5%
- Seat belts42.5%
- Heating & air conditioning31.9%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
GASKET AND SEAL FAILURE ON 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS:OIL PAN, CRANKSHAFT, BLOCK HALF SEAL, OIL FILTER PLATE. *NM
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PERFORMED: SPARK PLUG WIRE SET, THE ECU AND MAP SENSOR, THE AC COMPRESSOR AND THE WATER PUMP BELT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD MISS AND FAILED TO RETURN NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED ABOUT 50 MPH WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. NOISES WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE OPERATORS FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ONCE OR TWICE TO GET IT TO RETURN TO IDLE. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD T O PURCHASE A WATER PUMP BELT. *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND THE BRAKE FLUID HAD DRAINED OUT. ALL FOUR BRAKE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/09/06.*JB
THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, A HOLE BLEW OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER PATCHED THE HOLE BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *PH THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOWED FOUR TIMES. *PH *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ,BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE SLOWLY STOPPED BY ITSELF BECAUSE OF THE LOW SPEED BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE WAS FLAT BEDDED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND THE BRAKE FLUID POURED OUT. THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED.*AK
FUEL PUMP LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A BLOWN FUSE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, UPON EXAMINATION THE WIRES WERE FOUND TO BE PINCHED DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *AK *NLM
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: DRIVER HIT A HOLE WITH FRONT 2 TIRES IN THE RAIN AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THEY BUSTED, AND HURT THE DRIVER. HE HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL. DRIVER WAS IN CONSTRUCTION AREA. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. MANUFACTURER SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, AND WILL NOT PAY FOR CAR. THE VIN # IS [XXX]. *AK *SB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN A RAIN STORM CONSUMER RAN OVER A LARGE HOLE IN THE STREET WHICH WAS ABOUT TO BE FILLED WITH CONCRETE, AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *AK *TC
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE A 1994 CADILLAC CONCOURS . THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF SOMETIMES. RESTARTS EASILY. WE WERE ALMOST BROADSIDED DUE TO THIS !!!!!!!!!!!! IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME MAYBE ONCE A DAY OR MAYBE ONCE EVERY 4 DAYS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING, A COUPLE MINUTES LATER CONSUMER NOTICED A BLACK SMOKE LARGE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE, TO PULL OUT THE ROAD, PEDAL WENT ALL WAY DOWN AND NO BRAKE AT ALL. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS LITERALLY BURNED TO THE GROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY. HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 15 HOURS. THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT MECHANICAL CONDITION. *NM
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION CONSUMER NOTICED STEERING WHEEL SMOKING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT WIRING HARNESS BEHIND STEERING WHEEL WAS BURNING. *AK *YH
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TURN SIGNAL. WHEN TURNING SIGNAL ON, IT DOESN'T SHUT OFF AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATING ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HAS AN ERRATIC CLICKING IN THE TURN SIGNAL WHEN USED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD VERY "LIGHT" USE FOR FIRST 10 YEARS. WHEN PURCHASED IN 2004, ONLY HAT 47,000 MILES. WELL SERVICED, VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON HIGHWAY AT 60MPH AND STARTED SMOKING. TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 1ST GEAR, AND FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT FAST. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HAS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AGAIN DUE TO CASING AROUND TRANSMISSION BEING CRACKED.*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
WHILE DRIVING A/C HEATER FAN MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR. INSTRUCTIONS THAT CAME WITH NEW MOTOR STATED NOT TO PUT SPARK PLUGS CLOSE TO FAN WIRE BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. HOWEVER, CADILLAC PUT SPARK PLUGS TOO CLOSE TO FAN WIRE WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH RADIATOR. MJS
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
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER INSTALLED SOP DERM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, DEALER THEN TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS BAD. CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE WORK ORDER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS CHECKED PER GOVT. MANDATED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FROM REPLACEMENT RECALL *95C72, MANUFACTUER WAS CONTACTED. *TT
SERVICE CONTROL WARNING WAS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STRUT, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CONNECTIONS TO NEW GENERATION SHOCK/STRUTS WERE INCOMPATIBLE WITH EXISTING WIRING IN WHICH CONSUMER WOULD PAY FOR A RELAY AND WIRING HARNESS, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED THE SPEED SENSITIVE SHOCKS/STRUTS WOULD BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH NON-VARIABLE PASSIVE STRUTS IN WHICH VEHICLE WAS NOT DESIGNED, NOW VEHICLE EXPERIENCES HARSH RIDE, FRONT STEERING IS LIGHT, VEHICLE WANDERS, TORQUE STEER TO THE LEFT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, FRONT SUSPENSION RATTLES, AND EXTERIOR/INTERIOR OF VEHICLE RATTLES. *SLC
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
SPEED SENSITIVE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH RADIATOR. MJS
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 DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT, WITH KEY OR WITHOUT, MALFUNCTION OR DEFECT IN ASSEMBLY OF VEHICLE. I TOOK THE AUTO TO THE DEALERSHIP (TURLOCK - SMITH CHEVROLET CADILLAC, INC.) AND WAS CHARGED FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO BREAK INTO THE TRUNK WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THIS MODEL YEAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECTIVE ISSUES. THERE IS NO WAY TO GET INTO TRUNK WITHOUT DIS ASSEMBLY. BASICALLY BREAKING IN TO THE TRUNK AND REBUILDING THE ENTIRE LOCK DOWN ASSEMBLY. I AM EXTREMELY DEPRESSED, I CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT PROBLEM OTHER THAN RE-ASSBLE THE WHOLE MESS CADILLAC CREATED BY THIS MALFUNCTIONING ISSUE.
PROBLEMS WITH RADIATOR. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PERFORMED: SPARK PLUG WIRE SET, THE ECU AND MAP SENSOR, THE AC COMPRESSOR AND THE WATER PUMP BELT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD MISS AND FAILED TO RETURN NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED ABOUT 50 MPH WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. NOISES WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE OPERATORS FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ONCE OR TWICE TO GET IT TO RETURN TO IDLE. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD T O PURCHASE A WATER PUMP BELT. *JB
CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE ON APRIL 29 1997, USED. NOW EXPERIENCES MECHANICAL SHUTDOWN DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS. THE DEALERSHIP BAYVIEW CADILLAC, FT. LAUTERDALE--954-563-6331 REPLACED THE IDLER ARM AND RESET THE IDLE TO SOLVE PROBLEM, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, CONSUMER CONTACTED BLAKE BUICK. CADILLAC--305-247-2121, DEALER WAS TOLD BY DETROIT TO REPLACE 2 CRANK SENSOR AND A #4 SPARK PLUG (MIKE BOYCO) THEN LATER WAS TOLD TO REPLACE AN ELECTRICAL WIRING. FILE NUMBER WITH DETROIT #980025245.
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
TIRES HAVE BEEN LOOSING AIR FOR THE PAST YEAR, NEED AIR WEEKLY, NEW VALVE STEM PUT ON TIRES CONTINUE TO LEAK
MICHELIN TIRE FAILED.
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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH TRAPPING A PASSENGER UNTIL THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. UPDATED 08/23/06. *JB UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB
VEHICLE'S SHOULDER HARNESS ALLOWS THE PASSENGER TO MAKE THE SHOULDER HARNESS LOOSE AGAINST THE BODY INSTEAD OF FIRM, RESULTING IN THE PERSON BEING THROWN ABOUT ON SERIOUS IMPACT IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND RESULTED IN TWO INJURIES WHICH INCLUDED CRACKED RIBS AND PELVIC, AND POSSIBLY CRACK IN THE HIP REPLACEMENT JOINT. DEALER IS COULVIA CADILLAC 1200 NORTH SCOTTSDALE ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, 602-945-1200. *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
HAVE REPLACED THREE AC COMPRESSORS BECAUSE OF FIRES, AC STILL DOES NOT WORK. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH RADIATOR. MJS
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 .