CADILLAC DEVILLE · model year

1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE

183 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992CADILLACDEVILLE carries 183 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 15 fires, 20 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 1992 DEVILLE is fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly with 20 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (11) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (11). 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 1992 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.

183
Complaints
17
Crashes
15
Fires
20
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

183 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY20
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER4
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS4
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY3

Recent Complaints

20150718ENGINE

MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MILES AND HOUR AND THE ENGINE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CAR AFTERWARDS, IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON FOUR BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD DISINTEGRATED / DRY ROTTED AND THE BOLTS THAT WERE HOLDING THE ENGINE INTO CAR WERE SEVERLY RUSTED WHICH RESULTED IN LETTING THE ENGINE DROP OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF THE CAR AND ONLY SLIGHT SURFACE RUST ON VERY LITTLE OF THE CARS UNDERCARRAGE. MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR THE DAY BEFORE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE THIS DRY ROT ON THE ENGINE MOUNTS WHEN THE ENGINE WAS MOUNTED IN CORRECT POSITION.

Mileage: 108,000

20150718POWER TRAIN

MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MILES AND HOUR AND THE ENGINE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CAR AFTERWARDS, IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON FOUR BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD DISINTEGRATED / DRY ROTTED AND THE BOLTS THAT WERE HOLDING THE ENGINE INTO CAR WERE SEVERLY RUSTED WHICH RESULTED IN LETTING THE ENGINE DROP OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF THE CAR AND ONLY SLIGHT SURFACE RUST ON VERY LITTLE OF THE CARS UNDERCARRAGE. MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR THE DAY BEFORE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE THIS DRY ROT ON THE ENGINE MOUNTS WHEN THE ENGINE WAS MOUNTED IN CORRECT POSITION.

Mileage: 108,000

20080303FirePOWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED OIL BURNING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER LOCATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V199000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY); HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,725 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 3/18/08 *CN UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

Mileage: 123,000

20060112SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON,AND WHEN I HAVE TO STOP SUDDENLY MY CAR SLIDE SIDEWAYS, CAUSING MY BACK END TO GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK MY CAR INTO GRAY CHEVY-CADILLIAC OF THE POCONOS.AND DID THE SCANN AND SAID IT WAS THE PUMP MOTOR. I HAD IT CHANGED AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AND KNOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE ABS MODULE HAS TO BE CHANGED. IT COST ME THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE DOLLARS AND EIGHTY CENTS TO HAVE THE PUMP MOTOR PUT IN AND KNOW IT'S GOING TO COST MORE MONEY TO PUT IN THE ABS MODULE. I FEEL IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AREN'T WORKING,THEN THAT IS A DANGER TO ME OR ANY ONE ELSE OUT THERE.I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A ONCOMING CAR THAT WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD,IF I WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN HIM COMING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISON. *JB

Mileage: 126,000

20050509LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

WHILE CHECKING COOLANT HOOD SUDDLENLY WITHOUT WARNING FELL AND LATCHED WITH MY HAND TRAPPED UNDER IT, RESULTING IN SEVERE NERVE AND SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE TO MY LEFT HAND. PHYSICAL THERAPY FAILED TO RESTORE FEELING AND RELIEVE PAIN, RESULTING IN SURGERY TO FREE UP THE DAMAGED NERVES SO THEY COULD HEAL. AFTER 6 MONTHS THE FEELING IS STILL NOT 100% RESTORED IN MY LEFT HAND, WHICH IS NOW VERY SENSITIVE TO COLD.

20040908FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A GAS TANK PROBLEM. WHEN THE GAS TANK WENT DOWN TO 5 OR 6 GALLONS WHILE TURNING A CORNER GAS WOULD NOT CONTINUE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ALTHOUGH THIS DEFECT OCCURRED WHEN ON THE STRAIGHT AWAY IT WAS MORE OBVIOUS WHEN TURNING THE CORNER. CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS QUESTIONING THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE INFORMATION HE RECEIVED CONCERNING THE GAS TANK REPLACEMENT. *AK

Mileage: 110,000

20031107ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER NOTICED OIL ON THE GROUND WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVED. THE OIL LEAK IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *AK

Mileage: 138,000

20031021ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE, HAVE HAD THE HEAD GASKET FAIL AT 71,000 MILES, HAD ENGINE REBUILT, NOW AT 92,000 MILES HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN, HAD MECHANIC REPLACE IT, HOWEVER THE BOLT HOLE IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK HAS HAD THE THREADS STRIP OUT AT ONLY 40 LBS. OF TORQUE AND DEALER CAN OFFER NO POSSIBLE REPAIR ADVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, HAVING A NEW ENGINE PUT IN VEHICLE AT THIS TIME, ALSO CLEAR COAT FINISH ON UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF FRONT FENDER HAS COME OFF CAUSING THE DARK BLUE FINISH TO BECOME WHITE. CAR ALSO DIES RANDOMLY WHEN PULLING UP TO STOP LIGHTS OR SLOWING DOWN. ALSO HAVING ALL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE OF TWO MOUNTS. EXPECT MORE FROM CADILLAC THAN THIS TYPE OF LOW QUALITY. *LA

Mileage: 71,000

20031021POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINE, HAVE HAD THE HEAD GASKET FAIL AT 71,000 MILES, HAD ENGINE REBUILT, NOW AT 92,000 MILES HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN, HAD MECHANIC REPLACE IT, HOWEVER THE BOLT HOLE IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK HAS HAD THE THREADS STRIP OUT AT ONLY 40 LBS. OF TORQUE AND DEALER CAN OFFER NO POSSIBLE REPAIR ADVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, HAVING A NEW ENGINE PUT IN VEHICLE AT THIS TIME, ALSO CLEAR COAT FINISH ON UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF FRONT FENDER HAS COME OFF CAUSING THE DARK BLUE FINISH TO BECOME WHITE. CAR ALSO DIES RANDOMLY WHEN PULLING UP TO STOP LIGHTS OR SLOWING DOWN. ALSO HAVING ALL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE OF TWO MOUNTS. EXPECT MORE FROM CADILLAC THAN THIS TYPE OF LOW QUALITY. *LA

Mileage: 71,000

20031008CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK

Mileage: 75,000

20030901WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

WHEEL LUGS AND NUTS ON 8/01/03 WHILE DRIVING ON 279E RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOISE AND TERRIBLE VIBRATION OF FRONT END OF CAR. MADE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. 3 LUGS WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE OTHER 2 WERE READY TO FALL OFF. NEAR MISS CAUSING MUTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. HAD ALL 5 LUGS AND NUTS REPLACED. SEPT. 1, 03 HEARD A STRANGE NOISE, FIRST THING I CHECKED WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE LUGS AND SURE ENOUGH ALL 5 LUG NUTS ARE ONLY BEING HELD BY 2 OR 3 THREADS. THERE IS ONLY 76,001 MILES ON THIS CAR. ALSO WHILE CHECKING FLUIDS UNDER HOOD, THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON MY BACK CAUSING BRUISING. THE GAS HINGES FAILING.*AK

20030901STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

WHEEL LUGS AND NUTS ON 8/01/03 WHILE DRIVING ON 279E RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOISE AND TERRIBLE VIBRATION OF FRONT END OF CAR. MADE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. 3 LUGS WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE OTHER 2 WERE READY TO FALL OFF. NEAR MISS CAUSING MUTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. HAD ALL 5 LUGS AND NUTS REPLACED. SEPT. 1, 03 HEARD A STRANGE NOISE, FIRST THING I CHECKED WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE LUGS AND SURE ENOUGH ALL 5 LUG NUTS ARE ONLY BEING HELD BY 2 OR 3 THREADS. THERE IS ONLY 76,001 MILES ON THIS CAR. ALSO WHILE CHECKING FLUIDS UNDER HOOD, THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON MY BACK CAUSING BRUISING. THE GAS HINGES FAILING.*AK

20030822FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHILE DRIVING ALONG- VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW UP. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, HER HUSBAND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. HUSBAND WENT AROUND, LIFTED THE HOOD, THEN LOOKED AROUND TO THE REAR, AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF VEHICLE. BY THE TIME THEY GOT THE FAMILY OUT OF VEHICLE AND STARTED ACROSSING THE STREET THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THEY PUT THE FIRE OUT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE GAS TANK.*AK

20030815POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

MITCHELL REPAIR INFORMATION LISTS CAMPAIGN NO: 94V199000 FOR UPPER TRANS AXLE OIL COOLER HOSE PULLING OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT TRANS AXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. MY CAR IS LEAKING IN THAT AREA NOW, SO I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. ON NHTSA WEB SITE, THE CAMPAIGN IS NO LONGER LISTED. HOW DO I GET MY UNSAFE CAR REPAIRED.*AK

Mileage: 60,800

20030815POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

MITCHELL REPAIR INFORMATION LISTS CAMPAIGN NO: 94V199000 FOR UPPER TRANS AXLE OIL COOLER HOSE PULLING OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT TRANS AXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. MY CAR IS LEAKING IN THAT AREA NOW, SO I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. ON NHTSA WEB SITE, THE CAMPAIGN IS NO LONGER LISTED. HOW DO I GET MY UNSAFE CAR REPAIRED.*AK

Mileage: 60,800

20030514ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL INFORMATION. WHEN THE CAR WAS FINALLY STOPPED, THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED BECAUSE THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE AND THERE ARE NO DOOR LOCK KNOBS AVAILABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO, NO WINDOWS COULD BE OPERATED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER AVAILABLE TO OPERATE THEM. THE END RESULT WAS THAT PASSENGERS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT OTHER THAN BREAKING THE GLASS OF ONE OF THE WINDOWS AND UNLOCKING THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE ARE NO OVERRIDE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FROM WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FOR THIS PROBLEM. A PERSON WHO IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONTROL THE CAR ONCE THE POWER STEERING IS LOST (E.G. A SMALL WOMAN, AN ELDERLY PERSON) COULD VERY EASILY HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT AND IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN A FIRE, THERE IS NO WAY FOR

Mileage: 152,470

20030331FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE INCIDENT MAY BE THE RESULT OF RECALL #94V199000. SCC

20030130EQUIPMENT

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THE PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ON SIX OCCASIONS. SCC

20021104ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WATER PUMP FAILURES SINCE PURCHASE--WATER PUMP REPLACED SIX TIMES

20021101EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

CONSUMER STATED THAT BY BEING SLIGHTLY DEAF, HE IS NOT ABLE TO HEAR WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS LEFT ON. CONSUMER REQUESTS A SUPPLEMENTAL FIX OF A LOUDER TURN SIGNAL SOUND THAT WILL ALERT CONSUMER WHEN THE SIGNAL HAS BEEN LEFT ON. *MR *JG *NLM

Compare 1992CADILLACDEVILLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE have?
The 1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 183 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 15 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE?
The most-complained component for the 1992 CADILLAC DEVILLE is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1992 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.