Cadillac Deville years to avoid
The Cadillac Deville years to avoid are 1997, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003, 1995, 1994, 1992, 2005, 1993, 1990, 1991 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1972 is the cleanest year on record.
3,660
Total complaints
33
Recall campaigns
1964–2005
Years covered
16
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Deville years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 339 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 312 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 310 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 281 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 239 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 239 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 237 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 211 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 208 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 197 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 185 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 183 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 132 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 123 | |
| 1990 | High complaint rate | 111 | |
| 1991 | High complaint rate | 105 |
Every Deville year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005avoid | 132 | 1 | |
| 2004avoid | 211 | 1 | |
| 2003avoid | 208 | 4 | |
| 2002avoid | 237 | 5 | |
| 2001avoid | 239 | 4 | |
| 2000avoid | 312 | 5 | |
| 1999avoid | 239 | 1 | |
| 1998avoid | 310 | 3 | |
| 1997avoid | 339 | 2 | |
| 1996avoid | 281 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 197 | 2 | |
| 1994avoid | 185 | 0 | |
| 1993avoid | 123 | 1 | |
| 1992avoid | 183 | 1 | |
| 1991avoid | 105 | 1 | |
| 1990avoid | 111 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 66 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 41 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 52 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 27 | 3 | |
| 1985 | 22 | 2 | |
| 1984 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 12 | 2 | |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1978 | 4 | 4 | |
| 1977 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1976 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1974 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Cadillac Deville years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Deville years to avoid are 1997, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003, 1995, 1994, 1992, 2005, 1993, 1990, 1991. The cleanest year on record is 1972.
What is the best year for the Cadillac Deville?
By complaint volume, 1972 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Deville years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Cadillac Deville have?
Across all model years, the Deville has 33 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,660 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.