1978 Cadillac Deville recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS". THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY CRACK AND ALLOW WASHER FLUID TO DRAIN OUT.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE WASHER BOTTLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 DEVILLE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V162000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Summary: SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS". THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY CRACK AND ALLOW WASHER FLUID TO DRAIN OUT.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE WASHER BOTTLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: VISUAL; WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION COULD CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE AWINDSHIELD OBSCURED BY ROAD SPLASH COULD NOT BE CLEANED WHILE THE CAR IS INMOTION. REDUCED VISIBILITY COULD RESULT AND MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A VEHICLEACCIDENT.
2. Unknown Or Other
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. IF PAPER OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS ARE PLACED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ASHTRAY RECEPTACLE, THEY COULD BECOME IGNITED AND FLAMES FROM THE FIRE MAY REACH THE INTERIOR OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
What could happen:
The fix: OWNER WILL BE SENT A METAL HEAT SHIELD TO BE INSTALLED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, EITHER BY THE OWNER OR BY THE DEALER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 DEVILLE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V189000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: IF PAPER OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS ARE PLACED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ASHTRAY RECEPTACLE, THEY COULD BECOME IGNITED AND FLAMES FROM THE FIRE MAY REACH THE INTERIOR OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Consequence:
Remedy: OWNER WILL BE SENT A METAL HEAT SHIELD TO BE INSTALLED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, EITHER BY THE OWNER OR BY THE DEALER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; INSTRUMENT PANEL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE AND PASSENGER INJURIESDUE TO FIRE AND SMOKE INHALATION.
3. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAVING AN EXTENSION, OR RUBBER FLAP, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL. THIS PEDAL FLAP COULD BE INADVERTENTLY DISPLACED BY A FLOOR COVERING AND WEDGED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN A MANNER THAT CAN INFLUENCE THE THROTTLE SETTING AND INCREASE THE ENGINE IDLE RPM.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE RUBBER FLAP FROM THE ACCELERATOR.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 DEVILLE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V111000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAVING AN EXTENSION, OR RUBBER FLAP, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL. THIS PEDAL FLAP COULD BE INADVERTENTLY DISPLACED BY A FLOOR COVERING AND WEDGED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN A MANNER THAT CAN INFLUENCE THE THROTTLE SETTING AND INCREASE THE ENGINE IDLE RPM.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE RUBBER FLAP FROM THE ACCELERATOR.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CARBURETED ENGINES.SYSTEM: THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL; PEDAL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, THE INCREASED ENGINESPEED COULD PRODUCE AN ACCELERATION RATE UNANTICIPATED BY THE OPERATOR. AVEHICLE ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.
4. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. THE REAR WHEEL MOUNTING BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, ARE BRITTLE AND THEREFORE MAY FRACTURE. THIS BRITTLENESS IS DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. IF THE BOLTS BREAK, THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BOLTS ON ALL AXLES AND THE TEN REAR AXLE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLTS, FREE OF CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 DEVILLE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V200000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Summary: THE REAR WHEEL MOUNTING BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, ARE BRITTLE AND THEREFORE MAY FRACTURE. THIS BRITTLENESS IS DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. IF THE BOLTS BREAK, THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BOLTS ON ALL AXLES AND THE TEN REAR AXLE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLTS, FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; REAR WHEEL MOUNTING BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF SEPARATION OCCURS UNDER VEHICLE OPERATION, LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1978 Cadillac Deville owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (2), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
08/12/2011 · Wheels / tires
JETZON INNOVATION TIRE, P225/75R15, DOT U9HH, RCJ, 5110, D121, RADIAL DENSION 0341, 44210-1, R25502. THIS TIRE WAS MOUNTED AND IMMEDIATELY SEPARATED WHEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT HOME. THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM IS THE RUSTED STEEL IT WAS MANUFACTURED ON AND THE LACK OF ADHESION TO IT. I INFORMED THE COMPANY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY MOUNTING AND WOULD NOT BE…
06/24/1997 · Fuel system
FUEL LEAK DUE TO A PUNCTURED FUEL LINE. *AK
03/04/1996 · Wheels / tires
SEARS TIRE BLOWOUT. *SD
08/21/1995 · Brakes
THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVE FAILED ON A MODULE THERE ARE NO BRAKE . TT