Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 40 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
40 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL AND THERE WAS OIL SEEN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PARK, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FATAL INJURI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL AND THERE WAS OIL SEEN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PARK, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES FROM THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AND BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10664900
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2005
Tires
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE GOODYEAR VIVA 2 TIRES SOLD AT WALMART. I HAD PURCHASED TWO TIRES IN AUGUST OF 2005. WHEN I WAS FIRST SOLD THESE TIRES I ASKED THE ASSOCIATE SELLING THE TIRES IF THESE TIRES WERE APPROVED FOR ALL SEASON DRIVING. THE ASSOCIATE ASSURED ME THEY WERE. I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR YESTERDAY I SLID ON A P…
Read full complaint
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE GOODYEAR VIVA 2 TIRES SOLD AT WALMART. I HAD PURCHASED TWO TIRES IN AUGUST OF 2005. WHEN I WAS FIRST SOLD THESE TIRES I ASKED THE ASSOCIATE SELLING THE TIRES IF THESE TIRES WERE APPROVED FOR ALL SEASON DRIVING. THE ASSOCIATE ASSURED ME THEY WERE. I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR YESTERDAY I SLID ON A PIECE OF ICE AND HAD NO TRACTION. IF I WAS NOT AN EXPERIENCED WINTER DRIVER I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND WRECKED IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COMPANY STOP ADVERTISING THESE TIRES AS ALL SEASON TIRES ,BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOOD FOR WINTER ICE CONDITIONS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143247
168,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Structure
DT: CONSUMER SAID MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME RUSTED. CONSUMER HAD HARBOR MOTORS IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO RUSTED MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH MANUFACTURER, AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH ANSWER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT W…
Read full complaint
DT: CONSUMER SAID MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME RUSTED. CONSUMER HAD HARBOR MOTORS IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO RUSTED MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH MANUFACTURER, AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH ANSWER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS AN OLD CAR WITH 174,000 MILES ON IT. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE IS 95% RUST FREE ON THE BODY SHEET METALS. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10127790
108,100 miles · Apr 25, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFire
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10119094
50,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Service Brakes, Air
CONSUMER STATED BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON. AS A RESULT, P0WER ASSIST FOR FRONT BRAKES FAILED. RECALL 87V093000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *TC
NHTSA ODI #10087584
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2002
Electrical System
VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003681
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ENGINE DID NOT COME ON.CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #899496
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2001
Visibility
WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT WILL NOT VENTILATE COOL AIR JUST LIKE A REGULAR FAN, AND WHEN HEATER IS TURN ON HOT, AIR WILL NOT COME OUT FROM BOTTOM, IT WILL COME OUT THROUGH TOP INTO CONSUMER'S FACE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893590
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY IS KNOCKING, WHEN THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS UP, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE NEW ENGINE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #558003
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2000
Steering
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN, STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN, AND IT MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE. ALSO, IT GETS STUCK. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK
THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.
Remedy: THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
EA89028 · Rear Brake Pin
Opened Jul 28, 1989 · Closed Jul 27, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SUMMARY:THESE VEHICLES HAVE REAR DRUM BRAKES.THE PARKING LEVER PIVOTPIN IS HELD BY AN E RING.WHEN THE RING FAILS, PARTS OF THE RING ANDPIN FALL LOOSE INTO THE DRUM AND MAY JAM THE BRAKE, LOCKING THE WHEEL.A STRONGER E RING IS USED IN 1988 AND NEWER CARS.THIS INVESTIGATIONHAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE GMS C BODY CARS LISTED ABOVE (E RING COMMONTO ALL CARS SHOWN).===
PE89098 · Anti Lock Brakes
Opened Mar 10, 1989 · Closed May 17, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
EA88031 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened Apr 22, 1988 · Closed Oct 23, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
STATUS:ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS IN PROGRESS.HOWEVER, NEITHER NHTSA OF GM HAS IDENTIFIED A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THATCOULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.SOME VEHICLES IN THIS GROUP WEREFOUND POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE RESTRICTIONS, AND WERERECALLED ALONG WITH H CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS.INVESTIGATION ISCONTINUING.===
1987 Cadillac Deville Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration