1990 Cadillac Deville: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 76 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car while turning intermittently dies and looses any acceleration stalls and most of the time starts back up when lifting foot of the gas and sometimes dies. Also the car accelerates on its own sometimes very quickly. The car stalling while making a left turn got me t-boned by someone while making a left hand turn. I'm not the only one with this problem. This defect is going to get somebody killed.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2015
“This problem is intermittent. On warm days, when driving with airconditioning.turned on, the car stalls and then quickly starts up again. No notice from computer problem light. Note other owners of this car have had similar problems even after dealer check.........one dealer informed me that it is the baffle around the fuel take that cuts the ignition out and I should keep fuel completely filled to top or at least half full. Yesterday when the problem happened again, it was warm in los angels, had 11 gallons in tank and still had problem. No recall was ever initiated by us government or gm. My car is a 1990 cad with only 80,000 miles and maintained regularly. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 cadillac deville. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle's steering wheel began to smoke for thirty seconds. The air bag light has remained illuminated for two months. The mechanic stated that the water pump caused the air bag light to fail. The contact also noticed a rubbing noise coming from the axle when making a left and right turn. The steering failure has not been diagnosed. The current mileage is 175,512 and failure mileage was 175,480.”Owner report · Steering · May 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 cadillac deville. While driving at 45 mph the vehicle accelerated to 65 mph. The contact applied the brake pedal and the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle continued to accelerate for about 30-45 seconds and then the acceleration stopped on its own. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop, and they advised him to have it towed to a cadillac dealer. The local mechanic attempted to diagnose the vehicle on 3 occasions and was unsuccessful. Repair invoices were available if needed. The failure and current mileage were 44,356. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2007
“The trunk lid shut and locked with consumer's hand stuck in it. A neighbor had to pry open the trunk with a tire iron. The cause of the problem had not been determined. *ak trunk lid was frozen, when hand was stuck in the lid, the lock setting misaligned. Incident happened twice, both in cold temperature. Consumer suspected the icing around the trunk which caused the problem. In addition, even the use of a key won't unlock the trunk. *la”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2004
“While driving 35 mph and without any reason vehicle suddenly accelerated to 65 mph. Brakes were applied to decelerate vehicle and they didn't work, resulting in a collision. Dealer and independent shop could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2003
“Wife left car parked in driveway in park, exited the car walked to the top of the drive to pick up rakes proceeded back behind and past the car when the car crashed into her critically injuriing her.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2002
“Michelin, tpg spec, p205/70h15, dot m3h3819x409, replacement tires with 10000 miles on a 1990, cadillac coupe deville. Right front tire had belt separation, then, on 24 june 2002, left rear tire had belt separation.*ak *jg”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2002
“While driving at highway speed engine will suddenly accelerate, raising up to 80 mph+. Has to step on brakes to slowdown, and sometime to make vehicle stop, a mechanic said reason could be that throttle valve will stick open. Please provide more information.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2002
“While driving could step on the brakes pedal to stop or reduce speed, but brakes will malfunction. Sometimes results in extended stopping distance. Please provide more information.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
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.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact Deville by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Cadillac Deville reliable?
NHTSA has 76 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Cadillac Deville. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Cadillac Deville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Cadillac Deville have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.