1983 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 1983 Cadillac Deville problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Cadillac DeVille 1983, several common problems have been reported:
- Power Window Regulator Failure: Devilles dating back to the 1991 model year have reported issues with power window regulators failing, causing windows to fall into the door and not roll back up. This problem necessitates the replacement of the window regulator to restore proper window functionality.
- HVAC Door Actuator Failure: Owners of Devilles from 1990 onwards have encountered problems with HVAC door actuators failing, resulting in issues with heating and air conditioning systems. Diagnosis is essential to identify the specific problem, with repair costs varying depending on the necessary repairs.
- Leaky Engine: Some Cadillac DeVille models, including those from 1990, have experienced engine oil leaks originating from the lower crankcase portion of the engine block. Repairing this issue involves removing the engine entirely to address the leak, incurring significant costs for owners.
- ABS Control Module Failure: Deville models from 1990 have reported failures in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) control module. Proper diagnosis is crucial to identify the issue accurately before proceeding with any repairs or replacements.
These common problems with the Cadillac DeVille 1983 highlight various issues that owners have faced over the years. Addressing these concerns promptly through professional diagnosis and repair is essential to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle.
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.
What engine is in a 1983 Cadillac DeVille?
The "High Technology" 4.1-liter V-8 engine had an aluminum block and cast-iron cylinder heads, which is inherently a bad combination. It cranked out only 135 horsepower, touting a digital fuel-injection system that offered an advertised fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon.
How many miles per gallon does a 1983 Cadillac get?
Based on data from 1 vehicles, 14 fuel-ups and 2,658 miles of driving, the 1983 Cadillac DeVille gets a combined Avg MPG of 12.00 with a 1.42 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 1 outliers (6.67%) removed.
How long can a Cadillac DeVille last?
How Many Miles Does a Cadillac Last? A new Cadillac typically drives between 150,000 and 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. This translates to about 10 to 13 years for an average driver clocking 15,000 miles per year.
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.
What engine is in a 1983 Cadillac DeVille?
The "High Technology" 4.1-liter V-8 engine had an aluminum block and cast-iron cylinder heads, which is inherently a bad combination. It cranked out only 135 horsepower, touting a digital fuel-injection system that offered an advertised fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon.
How long can a Cadillac DeVille last?
How Many Miles Does a Cadillac Last? A new Cadillac typically drives between 150,000 and 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. This translates to about 10 to 13 years for an average driver clocking 15,000 miles per year.
How many miles per gallon does a 1983 Cadillac get?
Based on data from 1 vehicles, 14 fuel-ups and 2,658 miles of driving, the 1983 Cadillac DeVille gets a combined Avg MPG of 12.00 with a 1.42 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 1 outliers (6.67%) removed.
1983 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:
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1983 Cadillac Deville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1983 Cadillac Deville complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1983 Cadillac Deville.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1GBAD4786D9
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *MJS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THE VEHICLE JUMPS A HEAD/ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G6A9AD9263
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO ENGINE LEAKING OIL, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1G6AD698609
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ACCIDENTN DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-10-18
- VIN: 1G6A0478X09
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: NOISY ENGINE.
1983 Cadillac Deville recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1983 Cadillac Deville.
- Manufacturer: PUROLATOR PRODUCTS, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: REPLACE THE FILTERS WITH THE CORRECT FILTERS.
- Remedy: THE IMPROPER THREADING COULD CAUSE A GASOLINE LEAK WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1983 Cadillac Deville problems:
1983 Eldorado problems with a 4.1L engine | Cadillac Owners Forum
Aug 24, 2020 ... Had this problem on my '83 Seville. The code 21 is the TPS which is also a fuel regulator and the combination of the 15 and 21 prompts me to ...
Got a question 83 Cadillac Deville, 4.1 engine. I checked the timing ...
Aug 23, 2023 ... Backfiring can be caused by multiple issues, especially in older cars like your 1983 Cadillac Deville with a 4.1 engine. Here are some common ...
4.1 a bad engine? | Cadillac Owners Forum
Jan 19, 2004 ... I've got a 1983 DeVille with a 4.1 and I can't complain, although a lot of other people could. If it is cared for properly it will last a long ...
1983 Cadillac DeVille Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Nov 28, 2006 ... A stuck thermostat caused it to overheat, blowing the intake manifold gasket. That has been the biggest problem the car has ever suffered. Have ...
1983 Coupe Deville - dash and electrical problems | Cadillac ...
Sep 24, 2012 ... Re: 1983 Cadillac Coupe Deville Someone could have used the wrong wire to power the constant memory to the add on radio. Common problem. I ...
Other years of Cadillac Deville
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