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1978 Cadillac DeVille Sedan

The 1978 Cadillac DeVille Sedan is a 180-hp 7.0-liter V8 sedan with a 3-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $10,668 MSRP and is rated at 15 mpg combined.

It makes 180 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (15 mpg combined).

The DeVille measures 221.2 inches long on a 121.5-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$10,668 ($53,176 *)
Engine
Engine Type425 cid OHV V8, Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor
Displacement7 L
Horsepower180 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque320 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves/cylinder, hydraulic lifters
Bore and Stroke103.7 x 103.1
Injection TypeRochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed automatic (Turbo-Hydramatic 400)
1st Gear2.48
2nd Gear1.48
3rd Gear1
Reverse2.07
Fuel Economy
City13 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Combined15 MPG
Dimensions & Weight
Length221.2 in
Width76.4 in
Height56.7 in
Wheelbase121.5 in
Cargo Volume20 ft³
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1978 Cadillac DEVILLE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 4, 1979 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE RUBBER FLAP FROM THE ACCELERATOR.

NHTSA campaign 79V111000

Aug 30, 1978 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Remedy: OWNER WILL BE SENT A METAL HEAT SHIELD TO BE INSTALLED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, EITHER BY THE OWNER OR BY THE DEALER.

NHTSA campaign 78V189000

Nov 16, 1977 · WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 77V200000

Sep 26, 1977 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE WASHER BOTTLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign 77V162000

4 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1978 Cadillac DEVILLE

Owner Complaints

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1978 Cadillac DEVILLE. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Tires2
Fuel System1
Gasoline1
Hydraulic1
Service Brakes1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 12, 2011 · 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…”
Jun 24, 1997 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“FUEL LEAK DUE TO A PUNCTURED FUEL LINE. *AK”
Mar 4, 1996 · Tires
“SEARS TIRE BLOWOUT. *SD”
Aug 21, 1995 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVE FAILED ON A MODULE THERE ARE NO BRAKE . TT”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1978 CADILLAC DEVILLE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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