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1986 Cadillac DevilleProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 22 owner complaints about the 1986 Cadillac Deville, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints221 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 8, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Cadillac Deville has problems

22 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling90
Power train30
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Electrical system20
Vehicle speed control21
Seat belts10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Steering10
Structure10
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1986 Cadillac Deville recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 87V-093 · Jun 23, 1987 · 6,004 vehicles

Risk. LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Deville year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Deville median. How we score

'71'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Cadillac Deville, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HYDRO BOOSTEA88019 · closed Oct 31, 1990
    No recall
  2. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88031 · closed Oct 23, 1989
    No recall
  3. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  4. HYDROBOOST FAILUREPE87038 · closed Jan 28, 1988
    No recall
  5. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Deville owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING INTO THE DRIVEWAY UPON RETURNING FROM WORK, PARKED THE VEHICLE, NOTICED A PUDDLE OF WATER UNDERNEATH. LIFTED UP THE HOOD, COULD SEE WATER COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER GASKET. *AK
Complaint 858424 · Mar 13, 2000
CAR DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE OIL PAN GASKET. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHO CHANGED THE OILPAN GASKET. IT STILL LEAKED OIL, SO I REMOVED THE ENGINE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE BLOCK HAD A CRACK FROM THE CRANK SHAFT TO THE CAM SHAFT ON THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. I TRIED TO ALUMINUM WELD IT…
Complaint 721437 · Apr 13, 2000

Own a 1986 Deville?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.