1991 Cadillac DEVILLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
97,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 42 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 26.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 36 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 | 20 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 20; 1996: 8; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2015: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10131090 · 2005-08-02 (August 2, 2005)
AT THE END OF SHORT 20 MILE TRIP AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED SMOKE & FLAMES COMING OUT OF HOOD / ENGINE. THE ACTION OF DRIVING, PARKING AND FIRE WAS SIMULTANEOUS. I CAN NOT SAY FOR CERTAIN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE THREE EVENTS HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I LEFT THE CAR IN PARK AT THE END OF DRIVEWAY WENT INSIDE THE HOME AND HAD MY SON CALLED THE POLICE AND FIRE ( 911 ). BY THIS TIME THERE WAS THICK SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT OF CAR. INITIALLY THE SMOKE WAS WHITE WHICH LATER TURNED TO BLACK. THE SMOKE WAS ACCOMPANIED WI…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,696 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223155 · 2008-04-02 (April 2, 2008)
POWER STEERING PUMP OVERHEATS & LEAKS. REPLACED TWICE. RETURNED TO MECHANIC 4/2/08 FOR 3RD REPLACEMENT. PUMP GOT SO HOT THE DIPSTICK MELTED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10316438 · 2010-03-04 (March 4, 2010)
MY 1991 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM (AS HAD THE 1985 CADILLAC) WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION/ENGINE RACING. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL OR STOP SIGN. THOUGH MY FOOT WILL BE FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR ENGINE RACES AND THEN THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. MY SOLUTION? I KEEP A GOOD DISTANCE BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO PREVENT THE LURCHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL AT SOME POINT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, WHETHER IT IS PARKING THE CAR OR WHEN THE FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE MOMENTAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10316438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10683262 · 2015-02-13 (February 13, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM WAS FAULTY, WHICH ALLOWED THE DOORS TO OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10683262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10758493 · 2015-08-21 (August 21, 2015)
I HAD NO IDEA THIS VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL I ACTUALLY OWN A 1984 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE, IT HAD A GAS LEAK WHICH ROTTED OUT THE TIMING CHAIN CASING, AND KNOCKED TEETH DOWN INTO THE GEAR BOX. I JUST REALIZED THIS CAR WAS RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE FUEL LEAKS AND THE ROTTING PARTS UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PAID NEARLY 6,000 IN 2004 THINKING I WAS BUYING A GREAT COLLECTOR ONE TIME PREVIOUS OWNER. THEN I ENDED UP WITH A LEMON, I STORED IT CAUSE I SEE THEY SELL FOR AROUND 35K FIXED UP. BUT I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD STILL BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10758493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11140192 · 2018-10-13 (October 13, 2018)
VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FUEL UNDERNEATH AT THE NYLON FUEL LINE. I HAD IT REPAIRED AND IT STARTED LEAKING IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. APPARENTLY THE ENTIRE LINE IS FAULTY AND I CANNOT EVEN SEEM TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. FIRE HAZARD!
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480096 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
WATER PUMP FAILED, CAUSING WATER LEAK/HEATER TO FAIL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480291 · 1995-02-07 (February 7, 1995)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER CLOGGED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480291 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V199000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly
Reported: 1994-10-13 (October 13, 1994)
THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF SEPARATION OF THE COUPLING, AN OIL LEAK CAN OCCUR WHICH, WHEN EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE TO THE TRANSAXLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗