CADILLAC DEVILLE · model year

1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE

281 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996CADILLACDEVILLE carries 281 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 10 fires, 17 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 1996 DEVILLE is steering:hydraulic power assist system with 14 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (11) and engine and engine cooling:engine (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 1996 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.

281
Complaints
14
Crashes
10
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

281 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL8
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
STEERING7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL7

Recent Complaints

20181231FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ONE DAY I COULD SMELL GAS FAIRLY STRONG, AND THEN I STOPPED AT A FRIENDS SHOP, OPENED THE HOOD AND YOU COULD SEE GAS SPURTING OUT. AS I WAS LOOKING UP THIS PART AND THEN SPOKE WITH SOMEONE THAT INFORMED ME THAT YES THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE FUEL RAIL AND THAT IT WAS CLOSED. OF COURSE I HAD TO PARK IT TO KEEP IT FROM CATCHING ON FIRE.. IT'S A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE AND IT'S IN MINT CONDITION. I AM ASKING FOR SOME HELP IN GETTING THIS REPAIRED/REPLACED.

Mileage: 250,000

20161229FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BY THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20150805SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Mileage: 106,000

20150704SEAT BELTS

MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT LATCH. THE TONGUE WILL NOT INSERT INTO THE BUCKLE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO GM/ CADILLAC AND WAS TOLD TO VISIT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEALER IN ZANESVILLE, OHIO TOLD ME THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. SINCE I NEVER USE THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT AND IT HAS THE IDENTICAL BUCKLE, MY SUGGESTION WAS TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT FOR THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT AND USE THE BUCKLE FOR MY DRIVER'S SEAT. I WAS TOLD FOR LEGAL REASON THEY COULD NOT DO THIS. SO IT IS OK FOR ME THE DRIVER NOT TO HAVE A SEAT BELT WHEN THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH GM BUT IS AVAILABLE IN MY MIDDLE BACK SEAT WHICH IS NEVER USED. I NOTICED THE 91 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAD A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

Mileage: 189,102

20121015ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN HOT AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR COST AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEM NOT TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. A LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

20110415ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY FATHER PURCHASED A 1996 SEDAN DEVILLE BRAND NEW. HE PASSED AWAY IN APRIL 1998. MY MOTHER DROVE THE CAR UNTIL THIS YEAR. SHE GAVE ME THE CAR. THE CAR HAS APPROX 17,000 MILES. I JUST FOUND OUT THE CAR HAS A BLOWN REAR HEAD GASKET. I REALIZE THE CAR IS 15 YRS OLD BUT I FEEL THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THE CAR WAS NEVER ABUSED AND STILL SMELLS NEW INSIDE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH GM? *TR

Mileage: 17,000

20101108FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) YET THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PLASTIC TUBING CONNECTED TO THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL FAILED, CAUSING FUEL TO SPRAY INTO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TUBING WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Mileage: 154,000

20100910VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI FREEZE CAME OVER THE FIREWALL AND CAUSED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS FEET. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE FAILED ON THE VEHICLE AND ALLOWED THE ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167000.

Mileage: 160,000

20100819VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED UNTIL HEAVY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,201.

Mileage: 90,201

20090408FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ODOR WAS PRESENT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONTRIBUTED TO FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE. THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DISCONTINUED AND THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT WOULD COST $400. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY;HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

20090106TIRES

REFER TO OPEN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE94071. CUSTOMER OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE WITH 93,884 MILES. CAR WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN XW4 TIRES FROM MANUFACTURER IN SIZE P225/60 R16 97S WITH A THIN WHITEWALL. ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED WITH SAME MICHELIN XW4 TIRES AT AROUND 50,000 MILES IN 2002, DUE TO AGE AND WEAR. ALL THE NEW TIRES HAD DOT CODE: B93V 222X 0902, AND ARE MARKED MADE IN USA. IN 2006, WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAD A SUDDEN BLOWOUT. THIS BLOWOUT CREATED A HOLE FROM JUST PAST THE TIRE BEAD TO THE BEGINNING OF THE TREAD, MAKING A FLAP ABOUT THE SIZE OF YOUR PALM, STILL ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF THE TREAD. TIRE REPLACED WITH A MATCHING XW4 WITH DOT CODE: B33V 222X 1105, MARKED MADE IN CANADA. AT THAT TIME, THE XW4 WAS DISCONTINUED BY MICHELIN, SO HAD TO FIND IT AS NOS (NEW OLD STOCK) VIA MAIL ORDER DISTRIBUTOR. IN SEPT. 2008 AT AROUND 93,800 MILES, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE XW4 TIRE WAS NOTICED TO HAVE A SMALL BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWAL

Mileage: 93,800

20081206ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FRONT WHEELS PASSED THROUGH A PUDDLE AND WATER SPLASHED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE TURN COULD NOT BE COMPLETED. THE EFFECT WAS MOMENTARY BUT SCARED ME QUITE A BIT. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON DIFFERENT RAINY DAYS WITH THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20081125ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN MORE THAN 2 HOURS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS, AND CAUSES THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, AND HE IS UNABLE TO REPAIR TO OUR SATISFACTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY, MANY TIMES WITHOUT RESOLUTION. *TR

20080801SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER PART OF THE BRAKE LINE SPLIT INTO TWO SEPARATE PIECES WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE BRAKES COULD NOT BE USED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND GEARS WERE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD LOOK INTO THE FAILURE AT SOME POINT. THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT OCCUR ON A VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE BRACKET THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE STRUT IS BEING STRETCHED BEYOND ITS LIMIT, WHICH AFTER TIME WILL EVENTUALLY SPLIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,210 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,449. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE METAL BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE RUBBER PART OF THE BRAKE LINE IS CUTTING THE RUBBER LINE RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE BRACKET . UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

Mileage: 138,210

20080716FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

UPON APPROACHING THE 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE IT WAS NOTED THAT A FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE LEAK WAS GASOLINE - OPENING THE HOOD FOUND NO LEAKS. CAR WAS STARTED IN ORDER TO RELOCATE IT IN THE DRIVE WAY, WITHIN A MINUTE OF STARTING THERE WAS A STRONG BLAST OF VAPORIZED GASOLINE SPRAYING ON THE DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUTOFF. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE UNDER THE FLOOR AT A LOCATION UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE IS MOUNTED PARALLEL THE BODY AND IT IS ABOUT 9 INCHES OUTBOARD OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT DAY THAT THE CAR WAS STARTED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CADILLAC DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED BY INSTALLING A NEW FUEL HARNESS - PART NUMBER 25644121 AT A COST OF $608 TO ME. ANY DESIGN THAT USES PLASTIC (NYLON) FUEL LINES PLACED SO CLOSE TO THE HOTTEST PART OF THE CAR IS JUST PLAIN IRRESPONSIBLE ! *TR

Mileage: 114,000

20080121ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR LOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND CUTS OFF. THERE IS NO ELECTRIC OR ENGINE AVAILABLE AND THE CAR MUST BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO PROCEED IN TRAFFIC. THIS FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AT LOW RATES (20-35MPH) OF SPEED BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS. POWER STEERING IS DIMINISHED DUE TO POWER FAILURE. *TR

20080121STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

CAR LOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND CUTS OFF. THERE IS NO ELECTRIC OR ENGINE AVAILABLE AND THE CAR MUST BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO PROCEED IN TRAFFIC. THIS FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AT LOW RATES (20-35MPH) OF SPEED BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS. POWER STEERING IS DIMINISHED DUE TO POWER FAILURE. *TR

20071219FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THE DEALER STATED THEY RAN OUT OF PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD SCHEDULED REPAIR APPOINTMENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20070821SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE CONTROLLER 1996 CADILLAC CONCOURS AT A COST OF 1400.00. APPROACHING STOP SIGN AT LOW SPEED BRAKES FAILED CAUSING CAR TO STOP BEYOND STOP SIGN. I NOTICE THAT 1997 AND LATER CADILLACS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURE GM IS AWARE THAT 1996 MODELS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT SO WHY HAVE THEY NOT COVERED 1996 MODELS? *TR

20070419ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

DESPITE TWO TRIPS TO THE CADILLAC DEALER, THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" KEEPS COMING ON, PARTICULARLY DURING EXTEND PERIODS OF DRIVING. *JB

Compare 1996CADILLACDEVILLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE have?
The 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 281 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 10 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE?
The most-complained component for the 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE is STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1996 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.