1996 Cadillac Deville Owner Complaints

ONE DAY I COULD SMELL GAS FAIRLY STRONG, AND THEN I STOPPED AT A FRIENDS SHOP, OPENED THE HOOD AND YOU COULD SEE GAS SPURTING OUT. AS I WAS LOOKING UP THIS PART AND THEN SPOKE WITH SOMEONE THAT INFORMED ME THAT YES THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE FUEL RAIL AND THAT IT WAS CLOSED. OF COURSE I HAD TO PARK IT TO KEEP IT FROM CATCHING ON FIRE.. IT'S A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE AND IT'S IN MINT CONDITION. I AM ASKING FOR SOME HELP IN GETTING THIS REPAIRED/REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11164233

Incident

Dec 26, 2018

Mileage

250,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BY THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10938535

Incident

Dec 3, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10746426

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

106,000 mi

MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT LATCH. THE TONGUE WILL NOT INSERT INTO THE BUCKLE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO GM/ CADILLAC AND WAS TOLD TO VISIT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEALER IN ZANESVILLE, OHIO TOLD ME THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. SINCE I NEVER USE THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT AND IT HAS THE IDENTICAL BUCKLE, MY SUGGESTION WAS TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT FOR THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT AND USE THE BUCKLE FOR MY DRIVER'S SEAT. I WAS TOLD FOR LEGAL REASON THEY COULD NOT DO THIS. SO IT IS OK FOR ME THE DRIVER NOT TO HAVE A SEAT BELT WHEN THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH GM BUT IS AVAILABLE IN MY MIDDLE BACK SEAT WHICH IS NEVER USED. I NOTICED THE 91 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAD A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10731936

Incident

Jun 29, 2015

Mileage

189,102 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN HOT AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR COST AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEM NOT TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. A LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID

10480161

Incident

Mar 1, 2012

Mileage

74,000 mi

MY FATHER PURCHASED A 1996 SEDAN DEVILLE BRAND NEW. HE PASSED AWAY IN APRIL 1998. MY MOTHER DROVE THE CAR UNTIL THIS YEAR. SHE GAVE ME THE CAR. THE CAR HAS APPROX 17,000 MILES. I JUST FOUND OUT THE CAR HAS A BLOWN REAR HEAD GASKET. I REALIZE THE CAR IS 15 YRS OLD BUT I FEEL THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THE CAR WAS NEVER ABUSED AND STILL SMELLS NEW INSIDE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH GM? *TR

NHTSA ID

10396042

Incident

Mar 14, 2011

Mileage

17,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) YET THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PLASTIC TUBING CONNECTED TO THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL FAILED, CAUSING FUEL TO SPRAY INTO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TUBING WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA ID

10364962

Incident

Oct 15, 2010

Mileage

154,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI FREEZE CAME OVER THE FIREWALL AND CAUSED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS FEET. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE FAILED ON THE VEHICLE AND ALLOWED THE ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167000.

NHTSA ID

10354918

Incident

Aug 3, 2010

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED UNTIL HEAVY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,201.

NHTSA ID

10350630

Incident

Aug 15, 2010

Mileage

90,201 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ODOR WAS PRESENT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONTRIBUTED TO FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE. THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DISCONTINUED AND THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT WOULD COST $400. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY;HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10264496

Incident

Mar 31, 2009

REFER TO OPEN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE94071. CUSTOMER OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE WITH 93,884 MILES. CAR WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN XW4 TIRES FROM MANUFACTURER IN SIZE P225/60 R16 97S WITH A THIN WHITEWALL. ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED WITH SAME MICHELIN XW4 TIRES AT AROUND 50,000 MILES IN 2002, DUE TO AGE AND WEAR. ALL THE NEW TIRES HAD DOT CODE: B93V 222X 0902, AND ARE MARKED MADE IN USA. IN 2006, WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAD A SUDDEN BLOWOUT. THIS BLOWOUT CREATED A HOLE FROM JUST PAST THE TIRE BEAD TO THE BEGINNING OF THE TREAD, MAKING A FLAP ABOUT THE SIZE OF YOUR PALM, STILL ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF THE TREAD. TIRE REPLACED WITH A MATCHING XW4 WITH DOT CODE: B33V 222X 1105, MARKED MADE IN CANADA. AT THAT TIME, THE XW4 WAS DISCONTINUED BY MICHELIN, SO HAD TO FIND IT AS NOS (NEW OLD STOCK) VIA MAIL ORDER DISTRIBUTOR. IN SEPT. 2008 AT AROUND 93,800 MILES, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE XW4 TIRE WAS NOTICED TO HAVE A SMALL BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL, NEAR THE TIRE BEAD AND IN THE WRITING AREA FOR THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL DESIGNATIONS. HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THIS BUBBLE, WHICH IS ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG AND 1.25 INCHES WIDE. SUBMITTED CLAIM TO MICHELIN AND REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A MICHELIN SYMMETRY, WHICH ALMOST EXACTLY MATCHED THE XW4 IN TREAD AND SIDEWALL APPEARANCE. WHEN TIRE WAS DISMOUNTED FROM THE RIM, THE BUBBLE STAYED INFLATED?! MICHELIN CAME BACK SAYING THE TIRE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AS IT WAS A FEW MONTHS PAST THE 6 YEAR WARRANTY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE 2 REMAINING XW4 TIRES ON THE BACK EXHIBITED SIGNIFICANT CRACKING RIGHT WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL, AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE. APPEARS TO BE TREAD SEPARATION. THESE 2 REAR TIRES ALSO HAVE A DOT CODE: B93V 222X 0902, AND MARKED MADE IN USA. REAR TIRE TREAD DEPTHS MEASURED 9/32 INCHES, FRONT DRIVERS SIDE 6/32 INCHES, AND NEWER XW4 ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MEASURED 9/32 INCHES. ALL TREAD DEPTHS MEASURED THE SAME ACROSS THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE TREAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253987

Incident

Sep 7, 2008

Mileage

93,800 mi

FRONT WHEELS PASSED THROUGH A PUDDLE AND WATER SPLASHED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE TURN COULD NOT BE COMPLETED. THE EFFECT WAS MOMENTARY BUT SCARED ME QUITE A BIT. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON DIFFERENT RAINY DAYS WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250966

Incident

Nov 15, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN MORE THAN 2 HOURS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS, AND CAUSES THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, AND HE IS UNABLE TO REPAIR TO OUR SATISFACTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY, MANY TIMES WITHOUT RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10249827

Incident

Nov 16, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER PART OF THE BRAKE LINE SPLIT INTO TWO SEPARATE PIECES WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE BRAKES COULD NOT BE USED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND GEARS WERE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD LOOK INTO THE FAILURE AT SOME POINT. THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT OCCUR ON A VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE BRACKET THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE STRUT IS BEING STRETCHED BEYOND ITS LIMIT, WHICH AFTER TIME WILL EVENTUALLY SPLIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,210 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,449. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE METAL BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE RUBBER PART OF THE BRAKE LINE IS CUTTING THE RUBBER LINE RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE BRACKET . UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10236632

Incident

Jul 27, 2008

Mileage

138,210 mi

UPON APPROACHING THE 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE IT WAS NOTED THAT A FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE LEAK WAS GASOLINE - OPENING THE HOOD FOUND NO LEAKS. CAR WAS STARTED IN ORDER TO RELOCATE IT IN THE DRIVE WAY, WITHIN A MINUTE OF STARTING THERE WAS A STRONG BLAST OF VAPORIZED GASOLINE SPRAYING ON THE DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUTOFF. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE UNDER THE FLOOR AT A LOCATION UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE IS MOUNTED PARALLEL THE BODY AND IT IS ABOUT 9 INCHES OUTBOARD OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT DAY THAT THE CAR WAS STARTED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CADILLAC DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED BY INSTALLING A NEW FUEL HARNESS - PART NUMBER 25644121 AT A COST OF $608 TO ME. ANY DESIGN THAT USES PLASTIC (NYLON) FUEL LINES PLACED SO CLOSE TO THE HOTTEST PART OF THE CAR IS JUST PLAIN IRRESPONSIBLE ! *TR

NHTSA ID

10234486

Incident

Jul 10, 2008

Mileage

114,000 mi

CAR LOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND CUTS OFF. THERE IS NO ELECTRIC OR ENGINE AVAILABLE AND THE CAR MUST BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO PROCEED IN TRAFFIC. THIS FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AT LOW RATES (20-35MPH) OF SPEED BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS. POWER STEERING IS DIMINISHED DUE TO POWER FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215524

Incident

Jan 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THE DEALER STATED THEY RAN OUT OF PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD SCHEDULED REPAIR APPOINTMENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID

10212316

Incident

Oct 1, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE CONTROLLER 1996 CADILLAC CONCOURS AT A COST OF 1400.00. APPROACHING STOP SIGN AT LOW SPEED BRAKES FAILED CAUSING CAR TO STOP BEYOND STOP SIGN. I NOTICE THAT 1997 AND LATER CADILLACS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURE GM IS AWARE THAT 1996 MODELS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT SO WHY HAVE THEY NOT COVERED 1996 MODELS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10200380

Incident

Jul 9, 2007

DESPITE TWO TRIPS TO THE CADILLAC DEALER, THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" KEEPS COMING ON, PARTICULARLY DURING EXTEND PERIODS OF DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10188359

Incident

Apr 19, 2007

1996 CADILLAC CONCOURS DEVILLE. 1. EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: POWER STEERING FAILS DURING RAIN EVENTS. 2. FAILURE & CONSEQUENCES: UNABLE TO SAFELY STEER VEHICLE. 3. BELT TENSIONER REPLACED; DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10186276

Incident

Jan 1, 2002

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE AND ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN NOTICED THERE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 115000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL 04014 FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM .

NHTSA ID

10184953

Incident

Mar 12, 2007

Mileage

115,000 mi

VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY ROADS WHERE POSTED SPEEDS ARE 35-45 MPH. THE CAR JUST STARTED TO SPEED UP ON ITS OWN AND I COULD NOT GET THE ENGINE TO SLOW DOWN. THE ONLY WAY I COULD AVOID A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WAS TO RIDE THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING AND EXTREMELY OVERHEATED. I ALMOST COULD NOT STOP WITH THE ENGINE RACING AND THE BRAKES WORN OUT. I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN WHILE STILL IN DRIVE, ALMOST RUNNING INTO THE WALL OF MY HOUSE. I AM 70 YEARS OLD AND WAS VERY SCARED. ON EDMUNDS .COM THERE ARE THREE OTHER REPORTED INSTANCES OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. MY CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE AND I WILL HAVE TO GET IT TOWED FROM MY HOUSE TO THE DEALER FOR IT TO BE CHECKED OUT, PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS AS IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10179535

Incident

Jan 22, 2007

Mileage

100,165 mi

BOUGHT VEHICLE USED FROM AUTO DEALERSHIP. FROM DAY ONE SMELLED OIL FROM UNDER HOOD, SMELLED ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. HAVING TO CONSTANTLY REFILL COOLANT LEVEL. AND COOLANT MIXED ON WITH ENGINE OIL. DEALER "COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS. LATER, 3 OTHER REPAIR SHOPS ALL DIAGNOSED BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS RANGED FROM $2800.00 TO $5200.00. *JB

NHTSA ID

10178754

Incident

Jun 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS INOPERATIVE AND REVEALED FRAYED, MELTED WIRES. THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10159988

Incident

Jun 15, 2006

Mileage

111,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON APRIL 1ST, 2006 AFTER STOPPING FOR GASOLINE, THE ODOMETER WAS RESET FOR TRIP MILEAGE. AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE CAUSING THE RPM TO INCREASE EVEN WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT CONTINUED TO BE IN THE HIGH ACCELERATION MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IS AWAITING INSPECTION. ADDITIONALLY THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE ON THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10154383

Incident

Apr 1, 2006