VehicleVerdict

1990 Cadillac Deville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 111 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Deville year — the 1990 model ranks #15 of 34 Deville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 31 reports (28% of the total).

111

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Deville years?

Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 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, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Deville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Cadillac Deville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3128%
Speed Control2119%
Engine1312%
Tires & Wheels87%
Electrical System87%
Airbags65%
Transmission65%
Fuel System55%
Suspension33%
Steering33%
Body & Structure22%
Seat Belts22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Other11%

Does the 1990 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

2 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).

90E043004AirbagsOctober 30, 1990 · 39 units

Defect

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Consequence

INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASESTO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CAR WHILE TURNING INTERMITTENTLY DIES AND LOOSES ANY ACCELERATION STALLS AND MOST OF THE TIME STARTS BACK UP WHEN LIFTING FOOT OF THE GAS AND SOMETIMES DIES. ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN SOMETIMES VERY QUICKLY. THE CAR STALLING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN GOT ME T-BONED BY SOMEONE WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 15, 2015 · crash

“THE CAR WHILE TURNING INTERMITTENTLY DIES AND LOOSES ANY ACCELERATION STALLS AND MOST OF THE TIME STARTS BACK UP WHEN LIFTING FOOT OF THE GAS AND SOMETIMES DIES. ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN SOMETIMES VERY QUICKLY. THE CAR STALLING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN GOT ME T-BONED BY SOMEONE WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 15, 2015 · crash

“THE CAR WHILE TURNING INTERMITTENTLY DIES AND LOOSES ANY ACCELERATION STALLS AND MOST OF THE TIME STARTS BACK UP WHEN LIFTING FOOT OF THE GAS AND SOMETIMES DIES. ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN SOMETIMES VERY QUICKLY. THE CAR STALLING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN GOT ME T-BONED BY SOMEONE WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 15, 2015 · crash

“BARRINGTON MOTOR WORKS HAD MADE MORE EXCUSES THAN FIX PROBLEMS, OTHER PROBLEMS EXIST, BUT TOO MANY TO LIST. THE BARRINGTON MW HAS NEVER ONCE FOUND A PROBLEM TILL THE CAR LEAVES US STRANDED, EVEN AFTER WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. UNTIL I FIND A DECENT GM DEALER, THIS IS THE LAST GM FOR US, WE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 1, 1998

“BARRINGTON MOTOR WORKS HAD MADE MORE EXCUSES THAN FIX PROBLEMS, OTHER PROBLEMS EXIST, BUT TOO MANY TO LIST. THE BARRINGTON MW HAS NEVER ONCE FOUND A PROBLEM TILL THE CAR LEAVES US STRANDED, EVEN AFTER WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. UNTIL I FIND A DECENT GM DEALER, THIS IS THE LAST GM FOR US, WE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 1998

1990 Cadillac Deville — common questions

Is the 1990 Cadillac Deville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 111 complaints put the 1990 model at #15 of 34 Deville years. It is one of the Deville years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Deville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (31 complaints), speed control (21 complaints), engine (13 complaints).

Does the 1990 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Cadillac Deville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Cadillac Deville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.