Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Cadillac DeVille, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 19% |
| Steering | 7 | 19% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 14% |
| Tires | 5 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 8% |
| Visibility | 3 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Wheels | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED AND FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THROTTLE SENSOR SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL IDLE/ REV UP, AND TRY TO MOVE WITHOUT CONSUMER STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
INSIDE OF LUGS: NUTS HAVE A LIP RING THAT TIGHTENS BOLTS, CAUSING BOLTS TO BE STRIPPED. LUGS: NUTS CAME LIKE THAT, AND CONSUMER WILL NOT CONSIDER PAYING FOR PROBLEM. WHEELS COULD COME OFF UNDER HEAVY STRESS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
WHILE DRIVING TIRE SUDDENLY LOSS AIR PRESSURE, TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH SPARE, TIRE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION BUT NO BREAKS OR HOLES WERE FOUND, IT WOULD NOT HOLD AIR WHEN MECHANIC TRIED TO INFLATE IT, ON THE RIGHT REAR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH FIRESTONE TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF CRACKS ALL AROUND THE EDGES. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREET DOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. WITHOUT ANY WARNING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND MY CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF IT. DUE TO A LACK OF TRAFFIC AT THE MO
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 Cadillac DeVille. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 CE
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).
| Reliability raw | 91 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 7 of them (19%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.