Owners have filed 66 complaints
about the 1989 Cadillac Deville with NHTSA between 1995 and 2010.
The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 6Mar 2010
Recalls on the 1989 Cadillac Deville
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 178,000 milesW. Covina, CA1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HOOD ON FRONT CAR FELL CLOSED BY ITSELF AND LATCHED CLOSED. MY FINGERS WERE ON FENDER AT THE TIME IT FELL. MY FINGERS WERE SMASHED BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE FENDER. I COULD NOT GET THEM OUT. I HAD TO SCREAM FOR SOMEONE TO OPEN THE HOOD FROM INSIDE THE CAR SINCE I WAS TRAPPED. MY FINGERS CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING CUT OFF. THERE WAS NO WIND OR ANY OUTSIDE CAUSES FOR THE HOOD TO FALL. THE HOOD WAS ALL THE WAY OPEN AND I DID NOT DO ANYTHING IMPROPER TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE HOOD SUPPORTS ARE A DESIGNED IN FLAW THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. THEY DO NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THE HOOD. HOOD HAS NEVER FALLEN BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #10142493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boonton, NJCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND IN A MINOR COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #849447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STUCK AT 71 MPH CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED, WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND CONTINUED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION STRIKING A STOP SIGN WHICH FELL ON THE CAR BRAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER AND SCRATCHS ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE, UPON CHECKING THE VEHICLE AT THE SCENE THE THROTTLE WAS STILL STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION, IT TOOK SOME FORCE TO BREAK IT LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #701275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, IN1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HOOD STRUTS FAILED TWICE, HITTING DRIVER IN THE BACK WHILE HE WAS WORKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE STRUTS THAT HOLD THE HOOD UP ARE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #816792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grovetown, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
INGITION SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #531233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MNCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE, PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, MADE A RIGHT TURN, STARTED FOR PARKING SPOT, VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED; VEHICLE JUMPED CURB, WENT ACROSS GRASS, HIT LIBRARY BLDG.
NHTSA complaint #801843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Inglewood, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE CP SPEED ACTUATOR - HIGH IDLE / RUNAWAY VEHICLE - HAVE REPLACED 3 TIMES PROBLEMS STILL HAPPENING. NOW I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR FOR FEAR OF A ACCIDENT! I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAD SAME PROBLEMS AND IT IS CONFIRMED! "INCIDENTS NUMEROUS TIMES".
NHTSA complaint #10315999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inglewood, CA
EQUIPMENT
1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE CP SPEED ACTUATOR - HIGH IDLE / RUNAWAY VEHICLE - HAVE REPLACED 3 TIMES PROBLEMS STILL HAPPENING. NOW I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR FOR FEAR OF A ACCIDENT! I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAD SAME PROBLEMS AND IT IS CONFIRMED! "INCIDENTS NUMEROUS TIMES".
NHTSA complaint #10315999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenosha, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS DUE TO MISFIRE AND NOX CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION (MOST LIKELY DUE TO PROBLEMS IN ONLY A FEW CYLINDERS). POSSIBLE CAUSES INCLUDE LEAN AIR/FUEL RATIO, PORT VACUUM LEAKS, EGR SYSTEM, ERRATIC IGNITION TIMING, AND/OR OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10220454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesW. Covina, CA1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HOOD ON FRONT CAR FELL CLOSED BY ITSELF AND LATCHED CLOSED. MY FINGERS WERE ON FENDER AT THE TIME IT FELL. MY FINGERS WERE SMASHED BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE FENDER. I COULD NOT GET THEM OUT. I HAD TO SCREAM FOR SOMEONE TO OPEN THE HOOD FROM INSIDE THE CAR SINCE I WAS TRAPPED. MY FINGERS CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING CUT OFF. THERE WAS NO WIND OR ANY OUTSIDE CAUSES FOR THE HOOD TO FALL. THE HOOD WAS ALL THE WAY OPEN AND I DID NOT DO ANYTHING IMPROPER TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE HOOD SUPPORTS ARE A DESIGNED IN FLAW THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. THEY DO NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THE HOOD. HOOD HAS NEVER FALLEN BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #10142493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesPittsburg, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS SOMETHING CALLED AN ACCELERATOR MOTOR THAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACE THE IDLE SPEED SENSOR.*AK FRONT CALIPERS AND ROTORS BURNED UP. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND FLUSHED THE BRAKE FLUID. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10118953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesPittsburg, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS SOMETHING CALLED AN ACCELERATOR MOTOR THAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACE THE IDLE SPEED SENSOR.*AK FRONT CALIPERS AND ROTORS BURNED UP. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND FLUSHED THE BRAKE FLUID. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10118953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ketchikan, AK
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY FELL APART AND DROPPED FRONT END ONTO THE PAVEMNENT.
NHTSA complaint #765443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texascana, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER ACCELERATING THROTTLE KEEPS PUMPING, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK ALTERNATOR FAILED, FRONT BRAKES MAKE NOISES, ALSO THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*YH
NHTSA complaint #8006945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texascana, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
AFTER ACCELERATING THROTTLE KEEPS PUMPING, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK ALTERNATOR FAILED, FRONT BRAKES MAKE NOISES, ALSO THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*YH
NHTSA complaint #8006945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texascana, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AFTER ACCELERATING THROTTLE KEEPS PUMPING, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK ALTERNATOR FAILED, FRONT BRAKES MAKE NOISES, ALSO THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*YH
NHTSA complaint #8006945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texascana, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
AFTER ACCELERATING THROTTLE KEEPS PUMPING, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK ALTERNATOR FAILED, FRONT BRAKES MAKE NOISES, ALSO THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*YH
NHTSA complaint #8006945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RUNAWAY THROTTLE, SUDDEN HIGH SPEED ENGINE CONDITIONS THAT OCCURRED ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT OF THE DRIVER. STOPPING REQUIRED STEERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED IT PERSISTED EACH TIME ENGINE WAS RESTARTED.
NHTSA complaint #9006327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barberton, OH
TIRES
THE TIRE AND RIM ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER CAME OFF DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #560370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barberton, OH
WHEELS:RIM
THE TIRE AND RIM ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER CAME OFF DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #560370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Vernon, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL, CAR IMMEDIATELY EXCELLED TO 85MPH. REACHED OVER TO TURN OFF SWITCH ON CRUISE CONTROL, AT THE SAME TIME BOTH FEET ON BRAKES, TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, FINALLY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, CAR SLOWED DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #9001063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Vernon, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #723716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sapulpa, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES ARE NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE VEHICLE, VERY WEAK IN SPITE OF GOOD LININGS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norton, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 55MPH ACCELERATED TO CHANGE LANES IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. CONSUMER THOUGHT ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AND HIT THE BRAKE. THEN CONSUMER TRIED TO LIFT THE GAS PEDAL WITH HER FOOT, THINKING IT WAS STUCK AND CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. CAR WAS ALSO PLACED IN NEUTRAL, BUT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 90MPH. CONSUMER TURNED IGNITION OFF, AND PUT EMERGENCY BRAKE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. THE PLASTIC LOCK IN RETAINER CLIP FELL OFF INTO THE THROTTLE BODY & JAMMED THE THROTTLE OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #856162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE DATES ARE APPROXIMATE. I BOUGHT MAY 29,1996 AND WAS IN THE SHOP WITHIN TWO WEEKS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR (DICK SMITH I THINK HIS NAME IS) ASSURED ME THAT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WOULD ADDRESS THE ENGINE SURGE PROBLEM AND AS I THINK ABOUT IT I AGREED TO IT BECAUSE THAT WAS AT LEAST THE SECOND TIME I WAS IN LINDSAY CADILLAC FOR SERVICE ON THE ENGINE SURGE. I RETURNED A FEW DAYS LATER AS MY SCHEDULED ALLOWED AND RECALL TALKING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THE FIRST 3 TIMES I WAS THERE, THOSE CADILLAC "EXPERTS" SHOULD HAVE FIXED IT PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME AND AT THE MOST BEFORE THE 3RD VISIT. OF COURSE "DICK" ASSURED HIS BOSS THAT HE SAID NOTHING OF THE SORT (THAT $495 SHCEDULED MAINTENANCE WOULD ONCE AND FOR ALL SOLVE THE ENGINE SURGE). I CAME SO CLOSE TO REARENDING MAYBE FIVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE DURING THAT WHOLE RUNAROUND PERIOD. FINALLY, WITH MY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF VEHICLES, I REDUCED THE IDLE CONTROL SO THE HIGH REVING ENGINE WOULDN'T DO DAMAGE UNTIL I FOUND A SOLUTION TO THIS. AND NOW I COME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE AND SEE SOME OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS I MADE TO LINDSAY CADILLAC OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA IN A LIST OF RECALLS AND TSB'S THAT WERE ISSUED 2 YEARS AFTER THEY (LINDSAY) SOLD THIS CAR TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER NAMED TIPTON ACCORDING TO DICK SMITH IN SUMMER OF 1989. OF THE 253 COMPLAINTS ON THE 1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE THAT I FIND IN YOUR COMPLAINTS DATABASE, 29 OF THEM CITE A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE. THAT IS A CONSIDERABLE PERCENTAGE CONSIDERING THAT SILENT SUFFERS (THOSE WHO WON'T MAKE OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS BUT WILL BUY IMPORTS INSTEAD) COULD COUNT FOR A ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL 30%. IT IS NO WONDER THAT IMPORT AUTOMAKERS ADVERTISE LESS THAN "DAMS" (DOMESTIC AUTO MAKER S) DAMS ARE THE SINGLE BEST REASON FOR BUYING UNAMERICAN. NOW, WITH THE SIGNIFICANT % OF REPORTED COMPLAINTS ON THE THROTTLE OF THE 1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE, SHOULDN'T A RECALL BE IN ORDER? REMEMBER THAT A RECALL ON THE 1992 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD INVOLVED THE THROTTLE.
NHTSA complaint #715506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring Hill, KS
WHEELS
AFTER DISCOVERING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING RIGHT OWNER CHECKED THE WHEELS AND FOUND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO BE CRACKED AND COMING APART. SPOKES WERE COMING OUT OF THE WHEEL. CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. OWNER WILL BE REPLACING THE WHEELS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #853117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rice Lake, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON VEHICLE, AND DEALER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAK. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REMOVED THE GAS TANK BECAUSE IT SAT ON TOP OF THE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. FUEL SENDING UNIT RUSTED BECAUSE MOISTURE BACKED UP IN THE LINES. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #850119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boonton, NJCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND IN A MINOR COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #849447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULTIN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #842940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Jame, NY
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ARM REST ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #605530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodside, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE RACED OUT OF CONTROL ON STARTUP. DESPITE MY HEARING PROBLEM, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BEFORE LEAVING "PARK". IF I HAD PUT THE CAR IN "DRIVE" I WOULD HAVE SMAHED INTO THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SERVICE STATION SAID THAT THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT HAD FAILED. IT WAS JAMMED IN THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION AND COULDN'T BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #706803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.