Total Complaints
52 filings
CADILLAC DEVILLE · model year
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE
52 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1987CADILLACDEVILLE carries 52 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 9 fires, 2 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1987 DEVILLE is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 11 filings, followed by steering:rack and pinion (6) and engine and engine cooling:engine (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 1987 DEVILLE, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
52
Complaints
1
Crashes
9
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 11 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20141217FireFatalELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL AND THERE WAS OIL SEEN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PARK, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES FROM THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AND BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
20051119TIRES
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE GOODYEAR VIVA 2 TIRES SOLD AT WALMART. I HAD PURCHASED TWO TIRES IN AUGUST OF 2005. WHEN I WAS FIRST SOLD THESE TIRES I ASKED THE ASSOCIATE SELLING THE TIRES IF THESE TIRES WERE APPROVED FOR ALL SEASON DRIVING. THE ASSOCIATE ASSURED ME THEY WERE. I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR YESTERDAY I SLID ON A PIECE OF ICE AND HAD NO TRACTION. IF I WAS NOT AN EXPERIENCED WINTER DRIVER I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND WRECKED IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COMPANY STOP ADVERTISING THESE TIRES AS ALL SEASON TIRES ,BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOOD FOR WINTER ICE CONDITIONS. *JB
20050707STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DT: CONSUMER SAID MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME RUSTED. CONSUMER HAD HARBOR MOTORS IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO RUSTED MOTOR MOUNTS AND FRAME. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH MANUFACTURER, AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH ANSWER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS AN OLD CAR WITH 174,000 MILES ON IT. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE IS 95% RUST FREE ON THE BODY SHEET METALS. *AK *NM
Mileage: 168,000
20050426FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM
Mileage: 108,100
20050426FireSTEERING:RACK AND PINION
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM
Mileage: 108,100
20050426FireSUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM
Mileage: 108,100
20050426FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM
Mileage: 108,100
20050426FireEQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM
Mileage: 108,100
20050426FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR CONDITION. *JB *NM
Mileage: 108,100
20040810SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
CONSUMER STATED BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON. AS A RESULT, P0WER ASSIST FOR FRONT BRAKES FAILED. RECALL 87V093000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *TC
Mileage: 50,000
20020206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
20011127UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ENGINE DID NOT COME ON.CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP. *AK
20011127ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ENGINE DID NOT COME ON.CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP. *AK
20011127ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ENGINE DID NOT COME ON.CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP. *AK
20010806VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT WILL NOT VENTILATE COOL AIR JUST LIKE A REGULAR FAN, AND WHEN HEATER IS TURN ON HOT, AIR WILL NOT COME OUT FROM BOTTOM, IT WILL COME OUT THROUGH TOP INTO CONSUMER'S FACE.*AK
20001219ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY IS KNOCKING, WHEN THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS UP, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE NEW ENGINE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. *SLC
20000619STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN, STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN, AND IT MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE. ALSO, IT GETS STUCK. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK
20000404ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN ENGINE FAILED CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE CAR. CONSUMER FELT THAT A BRAND NEW ENGINE SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER, ONLY LASTED 25000 MILES AND QUIT. ENGINE REPLACED WITH ONE OF THE SAME TYPE, WHICH IS FAILING AFTER 25000 MILES. *AK *ML
20000124ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE NOTICED STEAM WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A TECHNICIAN TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A LEAKAGE FROM THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. *AK
19991228STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING ROOF OF CAR CAME OFF. *AK
Compare 1987CADILLACDEVILLE to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
PE24011Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
PE22006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Rear-View Camera Failure
PE19001Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
EQ11001EQClosed
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
EA07017Engineering AnalysisClosed
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE have?▼
The 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 52 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 9 fires, 2 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:RACK AND PINION and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.