FaultScore report
Owners have filed 185 complaints about the 1994 Cadillac Deville with NHTSA between 1995 and 2015. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 13 worst.
FaultScore 50/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Cadillac Deville.
How this is worked out185
Complaints
12
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
88,690 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
17%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
3 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 63,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ERRATIC TURN SIGNAL OPERATION
DASH TRIM SEPARATION
A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
DASH TRIM PIECE SEPARATION
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
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.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.9 LITRE ENGINES. AN INCORRECT ENRICHMENT CALIBRATION TO THE FUELING STRATEGY OF THESE VEHICLES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS BEING USED MAY RESULT IN NON COMPLIANCE WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: A NEW SERVICE PROM WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL RESULT IN THE REDUCTION OF AIR POLLUTANTS WITHOUT REDUCING DRIVEABILITY.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS LITERALLY BURNED TO THE GROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY. HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 15 HOURS. THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT MECHANICAL CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10145485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: DRIVER HIT A HOLE WITH FRONT 2 TIRES IN THE RAIN AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THEY BUSTED, AND HURT THE DRIVER. HE HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL. DRIVER WAS IN CONSTRUCTION AREA. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. MANUFACTURER SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, AND WILL NOT PAY FOR CAR. THE VIN # IS [XXX]. *AK *SB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10120565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN A RAIN STORM CONSUMER RAN OVER A LARGE HOLE IN THE STREET WHICH WAS ABOUT TO BE FILLED WITH CONCRETE, AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10103367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING, A COUPLE MINUTES LATER CONSUMER NOTICED A BLACK SMOKE LARGE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE, TO PULL OUT THE ROAD, PEDAL WENT ALL WAY DOWN AND NO BRAKE AT ALL. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10024985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKE LINE BURST, DUE TO RUST. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION CONSUMER NOTICED STEERING WHEEL SMOKING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT WIRING HARNESS BEHIND STEERING WHEEL WAS BURNING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8007077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT, WITH KEY OR WITHOUT, MALFUNCTION OR DEFECT IN ASSEMBLY OF VEHICLE. I TOOK THE AUTO TO THE DEALERSHIP (TURLOCK - SMITH CHEVROLET CADILLAC, INC.) AND WAS CHARGED FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO BREAK INTO THE TRUNK WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THIS MODEL YEAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECTIVE ISSUES. THERE IS NO WAY TO GET INTO TRUNK WITHOUT DIS ASSEMBLY. BASICALLY BREAKING IN TO THE TRUNK AND REBUILDING THE ENTIRE LOCK DOWN ASSEMBLY. I AM EXTREMELY DEPRESSED, I CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT PROBLEM OTHER THAN RE-ASSBLE THE WHOLE MESS CADILLAC CREATED BY THIS MALFUNCTIONING ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10723415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE HAVE A 1994 CADILLAC CONCOURS . THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF SOMETIMES. RESTARTS EASILY. WE WERE ALMOST BROADSIDED DUE TO THIS !!!!!!!!!!!! IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME MAYBE ONCE A DAY OR MAYBE ONCE EVERY 4 DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10317346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD VERY "LIGHT" USE FOR FIRST 10 YEARS. WHEN PURCHASED IN 2004, ONLY HAT 47,000 MILES. WELL SERVICED, VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #10225200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GASKET AND SEAL FAILURE ON 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS:OIL PAN, CRANKSHAFT, BLOCK HALF SEAL, OIL FILTER PLATE.
NHTSA complaint #10173216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND THE BRAKE FLUID HAD DRAINED OUT. ALL FOUR BRAKE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/09/06.
NHTSA complaint #10167697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH TRAPPING A PASSENGER UNTIL THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. UPDATED 08/23/06. *JB UPDATED 08/25/06.
NHTSA complaint #10164503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS LITERALLY BURNED TO THE GROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY. HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 15 HOURS. THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT MECHANICAL CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10145485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PERFORMED: SPARK PLUG WIRE SET, THE ECU AND MAP SENSOR, THE AC COMPRESSOR AND THE WATER PUMP BELT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD MISS AND FAILED TO RETURN NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED ABOUT 50 MPH WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. NOISES WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE OPERATORS FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ONCE OR TWICE TO GET IT TO RETURN TO IDLE. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD T O PURCHASE A WATER PUMP BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10122613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PERFORMED: SPARK PLUG WIRE SET, THE ECU AND MAP SENSOR, THE AC COMPRESSOR AND THE WATER PUMP BELT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD MISS AND FAILED TO RETURN NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED ABOUT 50 MPH WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. NOISES WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE OPERATORS FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ONCE OR TWICE TO GET IT TO RETURN TO IDLE. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD T O PURCHASE A WATER PUMP BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10122613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: DRIVER HIT A HOLE WITH FRONT 2 TIRES IN THE RAIN AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THEY BUSTED, AND HURT THE DRIVER. HE HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL. DRIVER WAS IN CONSTRUCTION AREA. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. MANUFACTURER SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, AND WILL NOT PAY FOR CAR. THE VIN # IS [XXX]. *AK *SB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10120565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN A RAIN STORM CONSUMER RAN OVER A LARGE HOLE IN THE STREET WHICH WAS ABOUT TO BE FILLED WITH CONCRETE, AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10103367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
UPON REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ,BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE SLOWLY STOPPED BY ITSELF BECAUSE OF THE LOW SPEED BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE WAS FLAT BEDDED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND THE BRAKE FLUID POURED OUT. THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10092023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LEAK IN ENGINE FOR 1994 CADILLAC CONCOURSE-- WE HAVE AN OIL LEAK AS A RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURER NOT USING GASKETS FOR OIL PAN AND SEPARATE ENGINE PARTS. THE EXPENSE IS QUITE COSTLY AND WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY IF THE GASKETS HAD BEEN ORIGINALLY BEEN INSTALLED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES OR FIRE, BUT FIRE COULD OCCUR BECAUSE OF THE LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10052965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, A HOLE BLEW OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER PATCHED THE HOLE BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *PH THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOWED FOUR TIMES. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10032354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD BOLTS RIPPED OUT OF THE BLOCK AT A COST OF $2,500. THE WORK IS NOT GUARANTEED BECAUSE IF THE INSERTS DID NOT WORK CADILLAC ONLY ALLOY'S ONE FIX IF THE HEAD BOLTS RIP OUR AGAIN THEY INSTRUCT YOU TO THROW THE MOTOR OUT EVEN THOUGH IT RUNS WELL. BUT THEY DO NOT SELL JUST THE ENGINE BLOCK YOU MUST BUY THE ENTIRE MOTOR AND YOU MUST TAKE OUT THE MOTOR OUR TO DO THE HEAD GASKETS WITH A SPECIAL JACK THAT MUST BE PLACED UNDER THE CAR SO THE MOTOR CAN BE REMOVED FROM UNDERNEATH!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10026048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING, A COUPLE MINUTES LATER CONSUMER NOTICED A BLACK SMOKE LARGE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE, TO PULL OUT THE ROAD, PEDAL WENT ALL WAY DOWN AND NO BRAKE AT ALL. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10024985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKE LINE BURST, DUE TO RUST. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8019432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN AT IDLE, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8014147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A BLOWN FUSE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, UPON EXAMINATION THE WIRES WERE FOUND TO BE PINCHED DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8012812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER INSTALLED SOP DERM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, DEALER THEN TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS BAD. CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE WORK ORDER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS CHECKED PER GOVT. MANDATED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FROM REPLACEMENT RECALL *95C72, MANUFACTUER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #563889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER HAD MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #563889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE'S SERVICE RIDE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROLLED RIDE COMPENSATION SYSTEM HAD FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #563889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION CONSUMER NOTICED STEERING WHEEL SMOKING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT WIRING HARNESS BEHIND STEERING WHEEL WAS BURNING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8007077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD BOLTS WORKED LOOSE AND STRIPPED AT 65000 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED BAD BOLTS. DID NOTHING ABOUT OTHER BOLTS. AT 92000 MILES AN ADDITIONAL 9 BOLTS HAD WORKED LOOSE CAUSING COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE. CADILLAC HAS MADE 3 CHANGES TO RECOMMENDED SERVICE PROCEDURE TO NOW REPAIR ALL HEAD BOLTS. THE ORIGINAL REPAIR AT 65000 MILES WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS ENGINE DESIGN SEEMS TO HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT. THERE A A NUMBER OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS LISTED FOR THE 1994 SEVILLE WHICH HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS THIS CAR. NLM
NHTSA complaint #759836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.