The most-reported Deville run is 1G6KD52Y1TU (1996 builds) with 22 complaints, 7.3× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 19% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 3.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for Deville model years 1982–2005.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac Deville has 730 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Deville complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G6KD52Y1TU•••••• | 1996 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1G6KD54Y6VU•••••• | 1997 | — | 1 | |
| 1G6KD54Y9YU•••••• | 2000 | 2 | — | |
| 1G6KD52B3SU•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6KD54Y1WU•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1G6KD54Y7WU•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1G6KD54Y04U•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 1G6KD52Y5TU•••••• | 1996 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G6KD54Y7YU•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6KD54YXVU•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1G6KD54Y3WU•••••• | 1998 | 3 | — | |
| 1G6KD54Y4WU•••••• | 1998 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 718 Deville runs has 14 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 25 Deville VINs so far, most often 2005, 2000, 1999 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Cadillac Deville the gap between build years is 2.8×: a 2003 car draws 3.7 complaints per run, a 1987 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 78 | 22 | 10 | |
| 2004 | 147 | 42 | 13 | |
| 2003 | 127 | 34 | 13 | |
| 2002 | 148 | 49 | 18 | |
| 2001 | 145 | 45 | 20 | |
| 2000 | 179 | 53 | 22 | |
| 1999 | 144 | 41 | 15 | |
| 1998 | 194 | 57 | 12 | |
| 1997 | 220 | 75 | 4 | |
| 1996 | 174 | 49 | 8 | |
| 1995 | 111 | 37 | 5 | |
| 1994 | 101 | 30 | 4 | |
| 1993 | 81 | 27 | 6 | |
| 1992 | 100 | 39 | 11 | |
| 1991 | 72 | 32 | 7 | |
| 1990 | 56 | 23 | 7 | |
| 1989 | 42 | 23 | 5 | |
| 1988 | 22 | 16 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 31 | 23 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 15 | 11 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 3.7 complaints per run; lightest is 1987 at 1.3.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 19% of everything Cadillac Deville owners report: Electrical System, 387 of 2,216 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 18 | 32 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 23 | |
| Service Brakes | 43 | 7 | |
| Air Bags | 101 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 32 | 7 | |
| Steering | 14 | 3 | |
| Fuel System | 1 | 8 | |
| Gasoline | 1 | 8 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 25 recall campaigns on the Cadillac Deville; the 6 below cover build years 1982 to 2005. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V355000 | Electrical System:ignition | 2000–2005 |
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1986–1990 |
| 93E019000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage | 1982–1985 |
| 02V227000 | Seat Belts:front:retractor | 2000–2002 |
| 04V110000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 1995–1997 |
| 94V199000 | Power Train:axle Assembly | 1991–1993 |
14V355000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2000: 14 years on the road before the recall.
The Deville against its rivals
The Deville draws 3 complaints per production run; the Buick LeSabre 4.1 and the Buick Park Avenue 3.3. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Deville | 2,216 | 730 | 8.3% | |
| Buick LeSabre | 2,951 | 713 | 5.6% | |
| Buick Park Avenue | 856 | 263 | 3% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,216 reports on the Cadillac Deville, 8.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Cadillac Deville | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,216 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 183 (8.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 78 (3.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 207 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 25 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 43% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Cadillac Deville share of that is 2,216 complaints over 730 runs, 0.2% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Cadillac Deville VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,216 NHTSA complaints from 730 Deville runs and 25 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Deville production run has the most complaints?
1G6KD52Y1TU, a 1996 build, with 22 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Deville run has 3.
Which Deville years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 3.7 complaints per run and 1987 lightest at 1.3.
Does the Deville get more complaints than the Buick LeSabre?
No: 3 complaints per production run for the Deville against 4.1 for the Buick LeSabre.
How many Deville complaints involve a crash?
8.3% of 2,216 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 78 involved a fire.
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