Cadillac Deville Reliability
3,645 NHTSA complaints (1981–2005). Complaint rate: 2788.8 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1996–2004 Cadillac Deville (209 crash-related complaints). The 1981–1989 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Cadillac Deville Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 274 | 6.2% |
| AIR BAGS | 162 | 32.1% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 160 | 0.6% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 156 | 0.6% |
| STEERING | 144 | 8.3% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 137 | 16.8% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 135 | 14.8% |
| ENGINE | 95 | 7.4% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 89 | 65.2% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 82 | 2.4% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 1981View→ |
| 1982GOOD | — | 12 | 0 | 1 | View 1982View→ |
| 1983GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | — | View 1983View→ |
| 1984GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | — | View 1984View→ |
| 1985GOOD | — | 22 | 0 | — | View 1985View→ |
| 1986GOOD | — | 27 | 1 | — | View 1986View→ |
| 1987GOOD | — | 52 | 1 | 9 | View 1987View→ |
| 1988GOOD | — | 41 | 4 | 3 | View 1988View→ |
| 1989GOOD | — | 66 | 6 | 1 | View 1989View→ |
| 1990 | — | 111 | 14 | 4 | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 105 | 9 | 10 | View 1991View→ |
| 1992 | — | 183 | 17 | 15 | View 1992View→ |
| 1993 | — | 123 | 13 | 18 | View 1993View→ |
| 1994 | — | 185 | 12 | 10 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995 | — | 197 | 7 | 9 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996AVOID | — | 281 | 14 | 10 | View 1996View→ |
| 1997AVOID | — | 339 | 5 | 10 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998AVOID | — | 310 | 19 | 3 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999AVOID | — | 239 | 19 | 5 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000AVOID | — | 312 | 54 | 4 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 239 | 30 | 5 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002AVOID | — | 237 | 30 | 2 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003AVOID | — | 208 | 21 | — | View 2003View→ |
| 2004AVOID | — | 210 | 17 | 5 | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 132 | 17 | 1 | View 2005View→ |
See also: Cadillac Devilleaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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