1981 Cadillac Deville problems
The Cadillac DeVille is a model name used by Cadillac over eight generations, originally used to designate a trim level of the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 and later to designate a standalone model in the brand range. The last model marketed specifically as a DeVille was the 2005 full-size sedan, at the time, Cadillac's largest model.
For 2006, the Deville nameplate was retired, when the model line was carried forward (with minor revisions) as the Cadillac DTS, using a nomenclature adopted by the Cadillac STS and CTS.
Early history
The name "DeVille" is derived from the French de la ville or de ville meaning "of the town". In French coach building parlance, a coupé de ville, from the French couper (to cut) i.e. shorten or reduce, was a short four-wheeled closed carriage with an inside seat for two and an outside seat for the driver and this smaller vehicle was intended for use in the town or city (de ville). An (unshortened) limousine or (in the United States) town car has a division between the passenger and driver compartments and if the driver's seat is outside it may be called a sedanca de ville or town car.
The first Cadillac "Coupe de Ville" was shown during the 1949 Motorama. It was built on a Cadillac Sixty Special chassis and featured a dummy air-scoop, chrome trim around front wheel openings, and a one-piece windshield and rear glass. The interior was black and trimmed in gray leather, including the headliner, to match the roof color. It was equipped with a telephone in the glove compartment, a vanity case and a secretarial pad in the rear armrest, power windows and highly decorative chrome interior trim. The prototype "Coupe de Ville" was used by GM President Charles E. Wilson until 1957 when he presented it to his secretary. At some time during this period it acquired a dark Vicodec roof. The prototype "Coupe de Ville" was found and restored in the 2010s; it was in a private collection in London, Ontario, Canada as of 2017.
The Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville was introduced late in the 1949 model year. Along with the Buick Roadmaster Riviera, and the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday, it was among the first pillarless hardtop coupes ever produced. At US$3,496 ($44,768 in 2023 dollars ) it was only a dollar less than the Series 62 convertible, and like the convertible, it came with power windows standard. It was luxuriously trimmed, with leather upholstery and chrome 'bows' in the headliner to simulate the ribs of a convertible top. In its first year the Series 62 Coupe de Ville only sold 2,150 units. But 1950 sales more than doubled to 4507, and in 1951 sales more than doubled again to 10,241 exceeding the sales for the Series 62 Club Coupe that year. Also, in 1951, Coupe de Ville chrome script appeared on the rear roof pillar for the first time, to further distinguish it from the Series 62 Club Coupe.
In 1956 the Series 62 Coupe de Ville was joined by the Series 62 Sedan de Ville, Cadillac's first standard production 4-door hardtop. Similarly to the Coupe de Ville, it was also more expensive and more luxuriously trimmed than the standard 4-door Series 62. With 41,732 sold, it also easily outsold the Series 62 sedan in its very first year. Given their sales success, it was only natural that the Coupe de Ville and Sedan de Ville were moved to their own separate series in 1959, the Series 6300, being joined by a DeVille convertible in 1964.
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Common 1981 Cadillac Deville problems
The 1981 Cadillac DeVille, like many cars of its era, has had its fair share of common problems reported by owners. The most significant issue seems to be related to the engine, with the 2001 model year being particularly problematic.
- Engine Burns Oil: The 2001 Cadillac DeVille has been reported to have engine issues, with the most common problem being that the engine burns oil. This issue affects a significant number of vehicles, with an average cost to fix of around $2,000 and typically occurring at an average mileage of 72,000 miles. This problem can be caused by various factors, such as worn-out piston rings or valve seals, which can allow oil to leak into the combustion chamber and burn off during operation.
- Power Window Regulator Failure: Another common issue with the 1981 Cadillac DeVille is the failure of the power window regulators. This problem has been reported in models dating back to 1991, with one or both power window regulators in each door potentially failing, causing the window to fall into the door and not roll back up. This issue can be caused by wear and tear on the window regulator's components, such as the cable, pulley, or motor, which can lead to the window becoming stuck or falling into the door.
- Faulty HVAC Door Actuators: The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the 1981 Cadillac DeVille has also been reported to have issues, particularly with the HVAC door actuators. This problem has been reported in models dating back to 1990, with some of the HVAC door actuators failing, resulting in incorrect air delivery or temperature. This problem can be caused by various factors, such as wear and tear on the actuator's components, electrical issues, or debris blocking the actuator's movement.
- Intermittent No-Start Issue: Some 1981 Cadillac DeVille owners have reported experiencing intermittent no-start issues, where the car will not start until it has cooled down. This problem can be caused by various factors, such as a faulty fuel pump, ignition system issues, or electrical problems.
- V8-6-4 Engine Issues: The 1981 Cadillac DeVille was also equipped with the V8-6-4 engine, a modulated displacement power plant that used computer-controlled solenoids to disable the rocker arms of two or four cylinders under low-load cruising conditions.
In conclusion, the 1981 Cadillac DeVille has had several common problems reported by owners, particularly related to the engine and power window regulators. These issues can be costly to repair and may require frequent maintenance. Therefore, potential buyers of this classic car should be aware of these common problems and budget accordingly for potential repairs and maintenance.
What years of DeVille to avoid?
Overheating and cracked engine blocks in Cadillac DeVilles
The popular 2000 and 2002 Cadillac DeVilles are prime casualties, with the engine tending to overheat due to a leaking head gasket. Alternatively, a water pump leak could be preventing your coolant circulating freely through your engine.
How many miles per gallon does a 1981 Cadillac get?
Based on data from 2 vehicles, 19 fuel-ups and 3,465 miles of driving, the 1981 Cadillac Eldorado gets a combined Avg MPG of 13.87 with a 1.81 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 1 outliers (5.00%) removed.
How much did a Cadillac cost in 1981?
The list price of a 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham coupe was $15,942, or about $45,000 in 2018 dollars.
How long can a Cadillac DeVille last?
On average, a well-maintained Cadillac engine can last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles (or more). Proper maintenance, regular oil changes, and addressing any issues promptly can significantly extend the engine's life.
What years of DeVille to avoid?
Overheating and cracked engine blocks in Cadillac DeVilles
The popular 2000 and 2002 Cadillac DeVilles are prime casualties, with the engine tending to overheat due to a leaking head gasket. Alternatively, a water pump leak could be preventing your coolant circulating freely through your engine.
How many miles per gallon does a 1981 Cadillac get?
Based on data from 2 vehicles, 19 fuel-ups and 3,465 miles of driving, the 1981 Cadillac Eldorado gets a combined Avg MPG of 13.87 with a 1.81 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 1 outliers (5.00%) removed.
How much did a Cadillac cost in 1981?
The list price of a 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham coupe was $15,942, or about $45,000 in 2018 dollars.
How long can a Cadillac DeVille last?
On average, a well-maintained Cadillac engine can last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles (or more). Proper maintenance, regular oil changes, and addressing any issues promptly can significantly extend the engine's life.
1981 Cadillac Deville car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Cadillac Deville problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Cadillac Deville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Cadillac Deville complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Cadillac Deville.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-16
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE MAKING A TURN, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-16
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE MAKING A TURN, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1981 Cadillac Deville problems:
1981 TBI problems, toooo rich | Cadillac Owners Forum
Aug 27, 2006 ... My deville is running so rich at idle that it leaves black on the lawn when it starts up fromthe exhaust pipe. I got the car from a little ...
Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 1981 - Disable 8-6-4 & Common Problems
Jul 31, 2011 ... What causes no power, no power in my mom's 1981 Eldorado - Answered by a verified Cadillac Mechanic.
1981 Seville 368 6.0ltr idle in drive problems | Cadillac Owners Forum
May 1, 2019 ... dpnel here and new to this site and I'm having problems with my 1981 Seville idling rough in drive. to make a long story short I have just ...
1981 Cadillac DeVille Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Sep 20, 2016 ... It was plagued by a few things early on, including stalling, rough idle, and some suspicious oil valves. Most of these problems came from a ...
Several engine problems with 1981 Fleetwood DFI | Cadillac ...
Dec 4, 2016 ... The 1980 yellowdorado and 81 brown coupe never really ran as good as the newer cars did. 1984 Eldorado Biarritz Coupe 1983 Sedan deVille.
Other years of Cadillac Deville
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