AI Damage1987 Cadillac Deville: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Cadillac Deville filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 40
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 45% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 15% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 3% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 18 complaints (45% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (15% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (8% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 40 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Both front split power seat backs collapsed upon rear end impact; vehicle was completely stopped waiting for traffic to clear. Tt
In addition, as the driver attempted to park, a fire erupted from the engine compartment. The driver was not able to exit the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries from the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, and both a police and fire report were filed. The vehicle was destroyed.
I had purchased two tires in august of 2005. When I was first sold these tires I asked the associate selling the tires if these tires were approved for all season driving. The associate assured me they were. I was driving in my car yesterday I slid on a piece of ice and had no traction.
Dt: consumer said motor mounts and frame rusted. Consumer had harbor motors in michigan city, indiana inspect the vehicle. They advised consumer that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to rusted motor mounts and frame. The consumer spoke with manufacturer, and was not satisfied with answer.
1987 cadillac deville caught on fire while parked. 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 condition.
As a result, p0wer assist for front brakes failed. Recall 87v093000 was issued. However this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin.
Vehicle shut off without prior warning.there is no power at all inside of vehicle. Dealership is aware of problem.
Warning lights for engine did not come on.contacted dealer, and took vehicle to shop.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,948 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Deville has 83 complaints (33 years in the data). This year has 40, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Deville 19763 sources
- Deville 19784 sources
- Deville 19823 sources
- Deville 19835 sources
- Deville 19846 sources
- Deville 198519 sources
- Deville 198622 sources
- Deville 198828 sources
- Deville 198948 sources
- Deville 199076 sources
- Deville 199187 sources
- Deville 1992135 sources
- Deville 199392 sources
- Deville 1994127 sources
- Deville 1995129 sources
- Deville 1996218 sources
- Deville 1997269 sources
- Deville 1998237 sources
- Deville 1999187 sources
- Deville 2000225 sources
- Deville 2001175 sources
- Deville 2002176 sources
- Deville 2003145 sources
- Deville 2004167 sources
- Deville 200595 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Cadillac Deville?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, service brakes. Total complaints: 40. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), A/C or heater (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Cadillac Deville from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.