CADILLAC DEVILLE · model year

1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE

185 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994CADILLACDEVILLE carries 185 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 10 fires, 10 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 1994 DEVILLE is engine and engine cooling:engine with 19 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (11) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (10). 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 1994 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.

185
Complaints
12
Crashes
10
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

185 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE19
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP10
AIR BAGS8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
SUSPENSION:FRONT4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4

Recent Complaints

20150604STRUCTURE: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.

Mileage: 1,245,590

20100306ELECTRICAL 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. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20080420POWER 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. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

20061112ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

GASKET AND SEAL FAILURE ON 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS:OIL PAN, CRANKSHAFT, BLOCK HALF SEAL, OIL FILTER PLATE. *NM

Mileage: 93,135

20060908SERVICE 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.*JB

Mileage: 108,766

20060804SEAT 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. *JB

20051216FireELECTRICAL 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. *NM

Mileage: 91,000

20050526VEHICLE 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. *JB

20050526ENGINE 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. *JB

20050510AIR 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). *TR

Mileage: 163,000

20041208CrashAIR 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 *TC

Mileage: 130,000

20040914FUEL 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.*AK

Mileage: 70,000

20040112ENGINE 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. *LA

Mileage: 80

20030807SERVICE 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 *JB

Mileage: 86,380

20030714ENGINE 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!!!!*AK

Mileage: 108

20030626FireELECTRICAL 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.

20030407CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE BRAKE LINE BURST, DUE TO RUST. *TS *JB

Mileage: 79,174

20020925ENGINE 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.

20020717ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN AT IDLE, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

20020627FUEL 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

Compare 1994CADILLACDEVILLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE have?
The 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 185 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 10 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE?
The most-complained component for the 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP.
Is the 1994 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.