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1987 Cadillac DevilleProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 1987 Cadillac Deville, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

79
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years74% below the Deville median · #18 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints405 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage108kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 17, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Cadillac Deville has problems

40 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 cooling182
Steering61
Electrical system32
Power train31
Service brakes, air30
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Structure30
Seats21
Wheels10
5 other systems52

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

1 recall

1987 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

1987 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Cadillac Deville, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88031 · closed Oct 23, 1989
    No recall
  2. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  3. 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.

1987 CADILLAC DEVILLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO WIRING REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR SUCH AS A NEW RACK AND PINION, STRUTS, TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND REPAIRS TO THE AIR…
Complaint 10119094 · Apr 25, 2005 · 108,100 miles
THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE ENGINE DEALER IS BLAMING THE RADIATOR WASN'T REPLACE BY THEM THATS WHY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING ENGINE.
Complaint 972676 · Sep 29, 1995
HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ENGINE DID NOT COME ON.CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP. *AK
Complaint 899496 · Nov 27, 2001

Own a 1987 Deville?

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