- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- The dealer will remove the rubber flap from the accelerator.
Vehicle safety record
1978 Cadillac Deville Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1978 Cadillac Deville with NHTSA, most often about the wheels & tires (2) and the brakes (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in May 1979 for the accelerator pedal. For comparison, the 1977 has 1 and the 1979 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical Deville year, for its age
#1 most complained-about 1978 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1978 Cadillac Deville problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1978 Cadillac Deville recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect the washer bottle and, if necessary, replace it without charge to owner.
What owners say
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4 complaints about the 1978 Cadillac Deville
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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 replaced. I am 100% sure this tire defective and anyone mounting this tire would have exposed the defect. This tire was not exposed to the elements and the rubber around the rusted steel rim belt appears to have dry rot like cracks. I have the tire and photo's to send at your request. *Tr updated 12/15/11
FUEL LEAK DUE TO A PUNCTURED FUEL LINE. *AK
SEARS TIRE BLOWOUT. *SD
The brake hydraulic control valve failed on a module there are no brake . Tt
Cadillac Deville: every year compared
All Deville years1978 Cadillac Deville vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 Cadillac Deville | 4 | 4 | A | |
| 1978 Cadillac Seville | 2 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 1978 Cadillac Fleetwood | 1 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 1978 Cadillac Cimarron | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1978 Cadillac Deville
Does the 1978 Cadillac Deville have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1978 Cadillac Deville: accelerator pedal (May 1979); unknown or other (August 1978); lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (November 1977); windshield wiper / washer (September 1977). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1978 Cadillac Deville?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the wheels & tires (2), brakes (1), fuel system (1).
How many complaints has the 1978 Cadillac Deville had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 21, 1995 and the latest on August 12, 2011. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1978 Cadillac Deville a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 90 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Cadillac Deville year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Cadillac Deville years have the most complaints?
1997 (280), 1998 (242), 2000 (237). See every Cadillac Deville year compared.
What should I do if my 1978 Cadillac Deville has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data