Total Complaints
66 filings
CADILLAC DEVILLE · model year
1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE
66 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989CADILLACDEVILLE carries 66 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 1989 DEVILLE is vehicle speed control with 19 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (3) and electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator (3). 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 1989 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.
66
Complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 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 |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 19 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20100303VEHICLE 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". *TR
20100303EQUIPMENT
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". *TR
20080308ENGINE 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. *TR
20051111STRUCTURE: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. *NM
Mileage: 178,000
20050419SERVICE 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 *NM
Mileage: 108,000
20050419VEHICLE 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 *NM
Mileage: 108,000
20020812POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY FELL APART AND DROPPED FRONT END ONTO THE PAVEMNENT.*AK
20020405VEHICLE 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 *YH
20020405FUEL 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 *YH
20020405ELECTRICAL 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 *YH
20020405SERVICE 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 *YH
20020329VEHICLE 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.
20010406TIRES
THE TIRE AND RIM ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER CAME OFF DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
20010406WHEELS:RIM
THE TIRE AND RIM ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER CAME OFF DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
20000629VEHICLE 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.
20000623VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
20000426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES ARE NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE VEHICLE, VERY WEAK IN SPITE OF GOOD LININGS. *MJS
20000203VEHICLE 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. *AK
19991201VEHICLE 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
19991118WHEELS
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. *AK
Compare 1989CADILLACDEVILLE 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 1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE have?▼
The 1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 66 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 CADILLAC DEVILLE is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR.
Is the 1989 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.