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 253 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Cadillac DeVille, and it carries 2 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 36 | 14% |
| Steering | 36 | 14% |
| Fuel system | 31 | 12% |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 6% |
| Air bags | 10 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 4% |
| Power train | 8 | 3% |
| Suspension | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
ONE DAY I COULD SMELL GAS FAIRLY STRONG, AND THEN I STOPPED AT A FRIENDS SHOP, OPENED THE HOOD AND YOU COULD SEE GAS SPURTING OUT. AS I WAS LOOKING UP THIS PART AND THEN SPOKE WITH SOMEONE THAT INFORMED ME THAT YES THER
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BY THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V1100
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT LATCH. THE TONGUE WILL NOT INSERT INTO THE BUCKLE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO GM/ CADILLAC AND WAS TOLD TO VISIT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEALER IN ZANESVILLE
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN HOT AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE HE WAS INFORMED T
NHTSA complaint: Engine
MY FATHER PURCHASED A 1996 SEDAN DEVILLE BRAND NEW. HE PASSED AWAY IN APRIL 1998. MY MOTHER DROVE THE CAR UNTIL THIS YEAR. SHE GAVE ME THE CAR. THE CAR HAS APPROX 17,000 MILES. I JUST FOUND OUT THE CAR HAS A BLOWN REAR H
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) YET THE CONTAC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI FREEZE CAME OVER THE FIREWALL AND CAUSED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS FEET. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC STAT
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 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.
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2
THESE VEHICLES COULD HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 113, "HOOD LATCH SYSTEM."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SECONDARY LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 36 of them (14%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) 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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1996 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 63/100. 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.