- The problem
- The fuel filters were produced with an incorrect threaded fitting. The incorrect fitting is similiar enough in size that the fuel filter may appear to be correctly threaded onto the fuel line.
- The risk
- REPLACE THE FILTERS WITH THE CORRECT FILTERS.
- The fix
- The improper threading could cause a gasoline leak which may result in an underhood fire when exposed to a source of ignition.
Vehicle safety record
1985 Cadillac Deville Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 1985 Cadillac Deville with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (7) and the steering (5). Those complaints describe 1 injury and 1 death. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in June 1993 for the storage. For comparison, the 1984 has 6 and the 1986 has 22.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Deville year, for its age
#7 most complained-about 1985 vehicle
- Complaints
- 21
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 1985 Cadillac Deville problems
Share of all 21 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1985 Cadillac Deville recalls 2
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
- Omission of the certification labels as required by federal motor vehicle safety standard number 110 "tire selection and rims".
- The fix
- Dealer will install required certification labels.
What owners say
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21 complaints about the 1985 Cadillac Deville
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
- Rack and pinion steering - stuck in certain positions and when cold - dangerous! - Rear load leveling sys. Doesn't seem to work on any cadillacs of this era. I can't put a single bag of groceries in the trunk without the rear bottoming - why haven't they been recalled? - Headliner came loose and hangs down. - Cassette plays a couple seconds then ejects. - Engine sputters and misses even though all tune-up related items have been replaced. - Front brake hose clogged and locked brake off and on. - Dangerous. Hit...
Read the full complaint
brakes and pull hard to right. I owned an 86 celebrity with twice the miles as this cadillac yet it was 100 x more reliable. Can't believe cadillac could have stayed in business after this model year. Who in their right mind would ever buy another. This one was garage kept and not driven in snow since 1987 and was owned by an elderly minister. It was very well maintained and looked like new when I bought it directly from him. If one that was taken care of this well was so bad, what about the ones that received only normal levels of care and maintenance. This car looks like new (except headliner) but I've been tempted to give it to the junk yard. It depresses me greatly. When I fix one thing, other things fail twice as fast as the rate I can get them fixed. I want to tryto get it repaired to sell but I can't get ahead of new problems.*Ak
While attempting to turn right at any degree greater than a lane change, the steering gives the consumer high resistance, especially during a cold start. *Slc
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak( dot number: tire size: 205-75r14 )
Stopped to open the gate. Restarted the car and the engine began to race uncontrollablly (as though one had their foot on the brake and gas at the same time). Had my foot the brake and shifted back into park, it still raced until I shut it off. Started the car again to see if we could get home. Proceeded down the road and stopped to let off my father. Restarted the car in our parking area. This time the brakes did not hold and it raced full speed in a circle that I was stearing. Finally shifted into neutral and was able to stop the car before any real physical damage (other than the severe fright it caused me and my father)
Intermittently steering wheel locks up when started. When driving, it frequently offers high resistance to turn right to any degree greater than a lane change. *Ak.Et
Possible brake failure was the cause of vehicle collision resulting in death.
A few months before purchase, the alternator/battery had been replaced. Last week, I replaced the alternator again.
ENGINE REPLACED.
Upper seat belt is not snug against chest, if driver leans forward, belt does not retract/sometimes, upper belt stays all the way out and requires that belt be unbuckled. *Ak
Failure on the steering wheel and column, the bolts that holds the steering wheel is breaking away from the steering column. *Ak
Gas strut on hood failed, causing hood to close on drivers head while checking oil. *Dh
Consumer wheels bend and tires wobbles all 4 of them. Tt
Engine has failed, needs a new engine after 30k miles. Tt
ENGINE FAILURE. *AW
The engine has a knock in it and the head gasket has been replaced and it has only 22,000 miles on it. Tt
REPLACED ENGINE DUE TO ANTI-FREEZE LEAKAGE. *AK
MAIN BEARINGS /BLOWER MODULE FAILED. *TW
Power steering failure when starting vehicle. Tt
TRANSMISSION SUPPORTS/TRANSAXLE FAILED. *AK
CRUISE CONTROL NYLON BUSHING FAILED. *AK
Water pump pulley fell off, causing loss of power steering . *Sd
Cadillac Deville: every year compared
All Deville years1985 Cadillac Deville vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Cadillac Deville | 21 | 2 | B | |
| 1985 Cadillac Eldorado | 10 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood | 6 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 1985 Cadillac Seville | 6 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 1985 Cadillac Cimarron | 4 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1985 Cadillac Cadillac | 2 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1985 Cadillac Brougham | 1 | 2 | C | 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 1985 Cadillac Deville
Does the 1985 Cadillac Deville have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1985 Cadillac Deville: storage (June 1993); labels (May 1984). 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 1985 Cadillac Deville?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (7), steering (5), acceleration & cruise control (2).
How many complaints has the 1985 Cadillac Deville had?
21 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 31, 1994 and the latest on May 7, 2002. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 1 death.
Is the 1985 Cadillac Deville a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 70 out of 100 (grade B: 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 1985 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