VehicleVerdict

1986 Cadillac Deville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1986 Cadillac Deville — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

27

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

5

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Deville years?

Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted339 complaints1964: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 2 complaints1976: 4 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 4 complaints1979: 1 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 12 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 27 complaints1987: 52 complaints1988: 41 complaints1989: 66 complaints1990: 111 complaints1991: 105 complaints1992: 183 complaints1993: 123 complaints1994: 185 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 281 complaints1997: 339 complaints1998: 310 complaints1999: 239 complaints2000: 312 complaints2001: 239 complaints2002: 237 complaints2003: 208 complaints2004: 211 complaints2005: 132 complaints
Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Deville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Cadillac Deville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1141%
Brakes311%
Transmission311%
Speed Control27%
Fuel System27%
Electrical System27%
Body & Structure14%
Steering14%
Latches & Locks14%
Seat Belts14%

Does the 1986 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

87V093000BrakesJune 23, 1987 · 6,004 units

Defect

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.

Consequence

LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.

Remedy

THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.

86V056000LightingApril 28, 1986 · 93,317 units

Defect

THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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 filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 1, 1995

“1986 CADILLAC DEVILLE/FLEETWOOD ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. CONSUMER REQUESTS THAT ENFORCEMENT OF SAME INSPECTION, TESTING AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FAILED BRAKING PARTS FOR HIS VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS DID NOT PERFORM IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS WAS FLAWED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 1, 2008

1986 Cadillac Deville — common questions

Is the 1986 Cadillac Deville reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Deville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (11 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), transmission (3 complaints).

Does the 1986 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Cadillac Deville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Cadillac Deville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac Deville years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Deville years belongs to 1972.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.