1992 Cadillac Deville Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report stalling and power loss tied to the fuel tank, especially when the gauge is low, along with brake and ABS symptoms that include a soft or long pedal. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from cars under 70,000 miles to ones past 150,000, and many describe faults that appear in turns, under braking, or after the car sits.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Stalling or power loss when fuel is low

   • 21 complaints (16%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the car cutting out or losing power when the tank is down to roughly five or six gallons, most noticeably in turns or when braking, with steering and brake assist fading as the engine dies. Several owners say the dealer replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump, or strainer after finding broken or deteriorated plastic baffling inside the tank blocking the pickup. Others report an inaccurate fuel gauge sending unit or a fuel smell and leak, and some say the tank replacement was done at their own cost. Reported across the whole mileage range, from around 60,000 miles to past 150,000, and usually in low-fuel conditions, in turns, or under braking.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel tank, pump, or strainer has been replaced and check the gauge against a known fill level. Note any stumble or cut-out during a low-fuel test drive around a corner.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10091561, filed 2004-09, 110,000 miles

   “While driving at any speed without any prior warning the vehicle lost power and there was a leakage coming from the gas tank. Consumer had the gas tank replaced. When stopping and taking off again, the vehicle would move very slowly and jerk. Also, when the consumer puts foot on the accelerator the vehicle isn'tpicking up any speed.”

   NHTSA complaint #832832, filed 1998-12
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS light on and long or soft brake pedal

   • 21 complaints (16%)
   • median 139,235 mi at 12.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light staying on, the pedal travelling to the floor, and stopping distances lengthening, sometimes with the rear stepping out under hard braking. Owners report dealers replacing the pressure module valve assembly, pump motor, or ABS module, and some say the light returned after the first repair. Others describe leaking rear wheel cylinders or a master cylinder replaced more than once. Reported from roughly 75,000 to 130,000 miles in the sample, with several complaints filed without a mileage figure.

   What to check: Confirm the ABS light comes on at start-up and goes out, and ask for service records on the master cylinder, ABS module, and wheel cylinders. A firm, high pedal on a test drive is what you want.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10147668, filed 2006-01, 126,000 miles

   “While vehicle was being serviced for a routine maintenance, consumer requested to have vehicle checked for leaks, the dealer discovered that the master cylinder was leaking, which was replaced, months later while driving, and while attempting to brake the vehicle did not stop, the vehicle was towed and the master cylinder was relaced again. Consumer stated the master cylinder has d been replaced 3 times, consumer traded the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #899791, filed 2001-12
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine compartment fire and transaxle cooler hose

   • 11 complaints (8%)
   • median 91,900 mi at 14.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Complaints describe smoke and fire under the hood, in some cases shortly after the car was parked and in others while driving. Owners tie several of these to the upper transaxle oil cooler hose, which recall 94V199000 covers for pulling out of its crimped coupling and allowing fluid to reach hot exhaust parts. Some owners report being told the recall work would be done at their expense, and at least one says a fire occurred the same day as an unrelated brake repair. Reported from the mid-1990s through the 2000s, typically on higher-mileage cars; several complaints do not state mileage.

   Recall 94V199000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 94V199000 was performed and get it in writing; inspect the transaxle cooler line and coupling at the transaxle end for weeping or looseness, and check for any fuel or oil smell after a drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After parking the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire. Cause not determined by fire marshall. There was a recall 94v199 regarding upper transaxle cooler hose, recall states the hose can pull out of the crimped coupling and cause a leak, when exposed to ignition source, fire could occur, consumer had taken to dealer after receiving notice, also brake light illuminated and dealer replaced master cylinder, same day after repair, vehicle caught fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #815944, filed 1997-09

   “Driving for about 30 minutes ,parked vehicle, about 3-4 minutes later vehicle was on fire within engine compartment, resulting in total loss of vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #823632, filed 1998-05
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a collision

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 12.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe frontal and rear impacts at moderate to highway speeds where the driver airbag did not deploy, with owners noting steering-wheel and chest injuries in some cases. A few owners say the response they received was that impact damage was not severe enough to trigger deployment. The complaints do not identify a common cause and describe collisions of varying severity. Reported in collisions from the mid-1990s onward; the complaints listing mileage are around 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning lamp behaves normally and ask whether the airbag system has ever been serviced or diagnosed. On a car this age, have the restraint system scanned rather than relying on the lamp alone.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10042560, filed 2003-10, 75,000 miles

   “Consumer was in an accident seat belt did not restrain consumer, causing left broken shoulder, the driver side air bag didn't delpoy . Tt vehicle was hit in the left front tire by vehicle trying to pass on left side.”

   NHTSA complaint #973207, filed 1995-10
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration or high idle

   • 6 complaints (4%)
   • typically at 6.8 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Complaints describe the car accelerating on its own, an idle that holds 35 to 40 mph without throttle input, and in one account the throttle going wide open after an impact. Owners report repeated throttle position sensor replacements without the problem being resolved, and mechanics unable to identify a cause. Reported on cars of varying mileage; the complaints do not consistently state mileage or age.

   What to check: Let the car idle from cold and watch whether engine speed settles, and ask whether the throttle position sensor or cruise control servo has been replaced. Have the throttle linkage and cable checked for binding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Have had auto in to Cadillac repair shop 3 times for replace of throttle position sensor and problem still excists. Mechanics are unable to locate reason for problem of gas pedal accelerating on it's own. It creates a real safety hazard when driving on highway or in city.”

   NHTSA complaint #748920, filed 2001-07

   “Must use brake when needing to travel at less than 30 MPH. Idles at 35-40mph. Must ride the brake. Parking in garage is dangerous due to high idle speed. Not a constant condition.”

   NHTSA complaint #711885, filed 1999-09

Buying note. On a car of this age, the fuel tank and brake system are the areas owners report most, so ask for records on both and budget for inspection before purchase. Confirm in writing whether recall 94V199000 was completed, and treat any ABS warning lamp or low-fuel stumble as something to diagnose rather than overlook.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.