MYRModel Year Report

1996 Cadillac Deville

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Cadillac Deville
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
218
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

21% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 19 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 88 complaints 1992: 135 complaints 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1995: 129 complaints 1996: 218 complaints 1996 218 1997: 269 complaints 1998: 237 complaints 1999: 187 complaints 1999 2000: 225 complaints 2001: 175 complaints 2002: 176 complaints 2002 2003: 144 complaints 2004: 167 complaints 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 19 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 88 complaints 1991 1992: 135 complaints 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1995: 129 complaints 1996: 218 complaints 1996 218 1997: 269 complaints 1998: 237 complaints 1999: 187 complaints 1999 2000: 225 complaints 2001: 175 complaints 2001 2002: 176 complaints 2003: 144 complaints 2003 2004: 167 complaints 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 19 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1988 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 88 complaints 1991 1992: 135 complaints 1992 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1994 1995: 129 complaints 1995 1996: 218 complaints 1996 218 1997: 269 complaints 1997 1998: 237 complaints 1998 1999: 187 complaints 1999 2000: 225 complaints 2000 2001: 175 complaints 2001 2002: 176 complaints 2002 2003: 144 complaints 2003 2004: 167 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005

1996: 218 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19823
19835
19846
198519
198622
198741
198828
198949
199077
199188
1992135
199396
1994140
1995129
1996218
1997269
1998237
1999187
2000225
2001175
2002176
2003144
2004167
200595

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

21% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and pump.

FIRE

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 65 MPH engine exploded and vehicle caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-05

The vehicle was unattended and the vehicle cought on fire. Please describe in more details.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-15

Fuel system, gasoline

16% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing fuel rail and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

On September 1, 2004 while driving the vehicle at 50 MPH. The consumer smelled gas and suddenly the vehicle caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-09-15

Service brakes

10% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

10% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1995-12-22Structure95V229000 These vehicles could have been produced with an improperly adjusted secondary hood latch. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 113, "Hood latch system."

    Remedy: Dealers will adjust the secondary hood latch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 218 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    1998-02-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-08-27 Erratic turn signal operation
  4. I
    1998-02-24Engineering analysisClosed 1998-06-16 Inadvertent air bag deployment
  5. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  6. I
    2003-10-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-02-03 Fuel rail leakage
  7. I
    2004-02-03Engineering analysisClosed 2004-04-23 Fuel rail leaks
  8. R
    2004-06-02Fuel system, gasoline04V110000 Some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L V8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction may degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine fuel rail with a new stainless steel fuel rail. Dealers will also install a revised chassis fuel return line. The recall began on June 2…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Cadillac Deville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 34 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95V229000 · Structure
  • Recall 04V110000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Cadillac Deville reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Cadillac Deville is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Cadillac Deville?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Cadillac Deville have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.