1991 Cadillac Deville Problems
- Complaints
- 87filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Cadillac Deville (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often write about braking problems — particularly ABS-assisted stops where the pedal goes to the floor, the car pulls to one side, or stopping distance grows. A second recurring theme is the engine quitting, often at low speed or on deceleration, sometimes with no warning, and several reports describe engine-compartment fires after the car was parked. Most sampled reports arrive with high mileage, typically well past 60,000 miles.
- Brakes
ABS braking: pedal to the floor, pulling, long stops
- 14 complaints (16%)
- typically at 6.9 yrs old
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–1999
Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor during hard or panic stops, with the vehicle continuing to move and stopping distance growing. Some report the car pulling or swerving sharply to one side under hard braking while feeling normal in light use, and others note the ABS warning light never came on even though a dealer confirmed the ABS was not working. Dealers reportedly replaced calipers and the master cylinder in at least one case, and one owner mentions a manufacturer bulletin on the swerving symptom. Filed across a wide mileage range and reported from the mid-1990s onward; several owners note the problem appeared only during hard or emergency stops.
What to check: Ask whether the ABS pressure modulator or valve block has ever been serviced, and test a firm stop on a clear, dry surface at moderate speed. Look for an ABS lamp that stays lit or never lights at all.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Abs valve block/pressure modulator valve causing vehicle to pull servely when braking hard. Vehicle still brakes normally under normal conditions. This is a very dangerous combination because when you need the brakes most they can cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #706058, filed 1999-04“During vehicle operation at 25 MPH, the ABS brakes failed completely and extended stopping distance was experienced, the ABS warning light never came on , it was confirmed by the dealer that the ABS was inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #805941, filed 1996-12 - Engine cooling
Engine stalls or quits while driving
- 7 complaints (8%)
- typically at 7.4 yrs old
- filed 1996–2001
Owners describe the engine shutting off without warning — while cruising at highway speed, when coming to a stop, or while turning — with one report of total loss of power steering and power brakes as a result. Several say the car went back to the dealer repeatedly over multiple years without a diagnosis, and in one case the check-engine light came on intermittently for two years without the dealer reproducing it. Others link a stall to fuel pickup when the tank is low and the car is turning or climbing. Reported at any speed and any mileage in the sample, with several owners describing months or years of repeated dealer visits.
What to check: Ask if stalling has ever been diagnosed or repaired, and whether the idle control or ignition-related service has been done. Drive the car through a full tank-to-low-fuel cycle and include some low-speed stops and turns.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Upon acceleration whiletraveling down an incline engine check light/oil light and battery light illuminated when the vehicle cut off without any prior warning. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #847070, filed 1999-09“Intermittently while driving at any speed in any kind of traffic the vehicle will just shut off without warning. Vehicle has been taken to dealership at least (6 or more times) every year since 1992. Dealer cannot find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #812799, filed 1997-06 - Electrical system
Engine compartment fire while parked or just after driving
- 8 complaints (9%)
- median 135,696 mi at 14.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2005
Complaints describe smoke and flames from under the hood shortly after the car was parked, in some cases only minutes after a short drive, with owners reporting the fire originated on the left side of the engine bay. One report notes the fire department pointed to the cooling fan as a possible source; another describes the hood latch seizing so the hood had to be opened by force. Owners say they were unaware of any warning before the fire. Reported after short drives of roughly 4 to 20 miles, often with the vehicle already parked; mileage in the sample ranges from about 50,000 upward.
What to check: Have the underhood wiring, fan circuit and any prior repairs in that area inspected, and check for scorched or melted connectors. Confirm the hood release works freely.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“At the end of short 20 mile trip as I was pulling into the driveway, I noticed smoke & flames coming out of hood / engine. The action of driving, parking and fire was simultaneous. I can not say for certain the order in which the three events happened. The engine was on fire. I left the car in park at the end of driveway went inside the home and had my son called the police and fire ( 911 ). By this time there was thick smoke and flames coming out of car. Initially the smoke was white which later turned to black. …”
NHTSA complaint #10131090, filed 2005-08, 135,696 miles“Parked vehicle, notice smoke and flame coming from under the hood area. Hood would not unlatch, fireman put hole in top of hood to outen the fire. Adjustor says electrical system fire. Just had the oil changed and replace the filter.”
NHTSA complaint #536175, filed 1998-05
Buying note. With this model year now well past 30 years old, condition and maintenance history matter more than the specific complaint pattern. Work the brakes and test a hard stop on the test drive, confirm the car idles and runs through a full tank without stalling, and have underhood wiring and fuel lines inspected before purchase.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 36 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 87 consumer complaints for the 1991 Cadillac Deville. 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 97,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 9 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes29 33%
- Engine cooling15 17%
- Electrical system11 13%
- Fuel system11 13%
- Vehicle speed control7 8.1%
- Air bags4 4.6%
- Seat belts3 3.5%
- Steering3 3.5%
Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Engine (1), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Intermiittently when brakes are applied in a panic stop, the vehicle swerves, resulting in extended stopping distances. Tsb #315004 has been issued by the manufacturer. Consumer has notified the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #837735, filed 1999-05Engine cooling: “My 1991 Cadillac Deville has had a problem (as had the 1985 Cadillac) with sudden acceleration/engine racing. This is most noticeable when the car is stopped at a signal or stop sign. Though my foot will be firmly on the brake pedal, the car engine races and then the car lurches forward. My solution? I keep a good distance behind the car in front of me to prevent the lurching into the car in front. I am concerned that this will at some point cause an accident, whether it is parking the car or when the foot is off the brake momentarily or when the foot is on the gas pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10316438, filed 2010-03, 105,000 milesElectrical system: “The contact owns a 1991 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the vehicle's door locking mechanism was faulty, which allowed the doors to open independently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the locks needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10683262, filed 2015-02, 110,000 milesFuel system: “Vehicle started leaking fuel underneath at the nylon fuel line. I had it repaired and it started leaking in a different location. Apparently the entire line is faulty and I cannot even seem to find a replacement. Fire hazard!”
NHTSA complaint #11140192, filed 2018-10, 89,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Cadillac Deville. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deville · sedan | not rated | 5 / – | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 94V199000Oct 13, 1994Power train › Axle assemblyCovers: Cadillac Deville 1991–1993, Fleetwood 1991–1993, Sixty Special 1991–1993
The upper transaxle oil cooler hose can pull out of the crimped coupling at the transaxle end of the line assembly.
Recall details for the 1991 Cadillac Deville → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE93007Fuel line failureClosed · Feb 10, 1993
- EA91019Engine compartment firesClosed · Mar 22, 1991
- PE91016Engine compartment firesClosed · Nov 26, 1990
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Cadillac Deville
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 95 | 75,500 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 167 | 68,686 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 145 | 68,500 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 176 | 59,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 175 | 74,238 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 225 | 70,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 187 | 65,555 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 237 | 74,211 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 269 | 82,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 218 | 85,575 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 129 | 104,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 127 | 88,690 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 92 | 113,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 135 | 110,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 87 | 97,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 76 | 100,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 48 | 143,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 28 | — | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 40 | 108,100 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 22 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 19 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 6 | 90,995 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Cadillac Deville model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Cadillac Deville?
Owners of this model year most often write about braking problems — particularly ABS-assisted stops where the pedal goes to the floor, the car pulls to one side, or stopping distance grows. The issues reported most often: ABS braking: pedal to the floor, pulling, long stops; Engine stalls or quits while driving; Engine compartment fire while parked or just after driving.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Cadillac Deville have?
NHTSA recorded 87 consumer complaints for the 1991 Cadillac Deville as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Cadillac Deville is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 29 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 15.
Has the 1991 Cadillac Deville been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Cadillac Deville reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 97,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 110,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.