1996 Cadillac DEVILLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
85,575 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 133 complaints (8.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 22 | 16.5% |
| Braking behavior | 18 | 13.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 11.3% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 9.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 6; Electrical System: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 8
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 88 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 9; 2000: 26; 2001: 7; 2002: 18; 2003: 14; 2004: 22; 2005: 10; 2006: 2; 2007: 7; 2008: 5; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10043280 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
WHENEVER THE VEHICLE GOES THROUGH EVEN TO A MODERATE WATER PUDDLE THE POWER STEERING IS SUBJECT TO TEMPORARY FAILING AND THE DRAG ON THE WHEEL IS CONSIDERABLE. VERY HARD TO STEER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. NUMBER OF FAILURES IS MANY BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TOGETHER AND REPORT THE MATTER. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044820 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095307 · 2004-09-30 (September 30, 2004)
EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, A/C COMPRESSOR AND LEAK IN ENGINE. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS SENT CORRESPONDENCE NOTIFYING HER OF A RECALL ON THE 1996 CADILLAC SEDAN DIVILLE. THE RECALL DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING WITH HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED STRUTS. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. CONSUMER GOT RID OF THE VEHICLE AND BOUGHT ANOTHER TYPE OF VEHICLE. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111116 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
THE STEEL LINES TO THE FRONT OF THE WHEELS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES. *NM *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001265 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL BROKE AND FUEL SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAK FUEL AND A FIRE. TS FUEL RAIL AND REGULATOR REPLACED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 57,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015897 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. **NLM FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSED BY METAL SHAVINGS FOUND IN PLASTIC FUEL TANK. FUEL PUMP AND TANK WERE REPLACED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 59,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001884 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE HAS STALL WAS CONTACTED BUT WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096609 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134658 · 2005-08-29 (August 29, 2005)
DRIVING OUR CAR, '96 CADILLAC DEVILLE, WITH APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MI, TRAVELING NORTH ON THE 15 FWY., APPROACHING VICTORVILLE, CA, OUR SPEED WENT OUT OF CONTROL REPEATEDLY HITTING 90+ MPH. THIS HAPPENED, EVEN THOUGH I SHIFTED THE GEARS DOWN 3,2, THEN 1, AND FLOORED THE BRAKE, THEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. ON CUTTING FRONT OF ANOTHER, EXITING THE FREEWAY, UPHILL, COMING TO THE SIGNAL, ON BEAR VALLEY ROAD, WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT ON A GREEN, THEN THE NEXT SIGNAL GREEN, BUT THEN A RED LIGHT, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. SUDDENL…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,826 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021371 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
DEX COOL COMPLAINT SLUDGE BUILD UP WATERPUMP AND TRANSMISSION CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX PUT NEW WATERPUMP ON BUT I HAVE STILL PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561583 · 2001-07-03 (July 3, 2001)
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARM, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY COMPONENTS BUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561583 at NHTSA ↗