Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
One day I could smell gas fairly strong, and then I stopped at a friends shop, opened the hood and you could see gas spurting out. As I was looking up this part and then spoke with someone that informed me that yes there had been a recall on the fuel rail and that it was closed. Of course I had to park it to keep it from catching on fire.. It's a 1996 Cadillac Deville and it's in mint condition. I am asking for some help in getting this repaired/replaced.
Tl*- the contact heard a loud pop come from under the hood of the 1996 Cadillac Deville and also noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact turned the vehicle off, and then noticed there flames were coming from under the hood . The fire department advised the contact that cause of the fire was a problem with the fuel. The vehicle currently had 115000 miles. The contact stated there was a recall 04014 for the fuel system .
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Cadillac Deville. While placing fuel in the vehicle, the contact observed fuel leaking from underneath the vehicle by the fuel tank. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 04V110000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Upon approaching the 1996 Cadillac Deville it was noted that a fluid was dripping from behind the left front wheel. Inspection revealed that the leak was gasoline - opening the hood found no leaks. Car was started in order to relocate it in the drive way, within a minute of starting there was a strong blast of vaporized gasoline spraying on the driveway. Car was immediately shutoff. Further inspection showed there was a leak from the plastic fuel line under the floor at a location under the driver's seat. The plastic fuel line is mounted parallel the body and it is about 9 inches outboard of the catalytic converter. This was the first time that day that the car was started. The car was towed to the Cadillac dealer where it was repaired by installing a new fuel harness - part number 25644121 at a cost of $608 to me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V110000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) yet the contact continued to experience failures with the vehicle after repairs. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where a diagnostic was performed and the mechanic advised the contact that the plastic tubing connected to the stainless steel fuel rail failed, causing fuel to spray into the engine. The manufacturer advised the contact that the tubing was no longer manufactured therefore they could not authorize the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 154,000.
Injector ( plastic) gas lines were spraying vaporized gas over the engine. Why this didn't ignite is beyond belief! Our certified Cadillac mechanic said that most cars have metal gas lines not plastic. The plastic hoses are molded into the fuel injection system so when they crack with age, they have to replace the whole system not just the plastic lines. How would anyone know that this is a problem - only because the fumes became more intense did I take it in. I had been driving the car with passengers for three weeks prior and the car could catch on fire and possibly exploded. It has approximately 79,000 miles on the odometer.
On September 1, 2004 while driving the vehicle at 50 MPH. The consumer smelled gas and suddenly the vehicle caught on fire. The day before incident, the consumer received a NHTSA recall letter # 04V110000: some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction May degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that May crack. Cracking of the fuel rail or return line tubing can result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Cadillac Deville. The contact smelled fuel upon starting the vehicle. He received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 04V110000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions and each time the dealer stated they ran out of parts. The contact had scheduled repair appointments. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 101,000.
After bringing the vehicle to dealer for fuel rail recall repairs vehicle started up slowly. Then, consumer took the vehicle to dealer for an oil change, and mechanic discovered ranched, pliers, and a socket extension. Dealer was contacted, and they stated they wanted them back. Vehicle was still running very roughly, and the dealer wanted to replace the fuel pump. The consumer was charged $50.00 to analyze the defect.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, the engine stalled without warning. The engine did not restart and was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined the fuel pump assembly was inoperative and revealed frayed, melted wires. The fuel pump assembly was replaced.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction May degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that May crack.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine fuel rail with a new stainless steel fuel rail. Dealers will also install a revised chassis fuel return line.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel rail leakage
The fuel rail assemblies used in the subject vehicles were manufactured by dana.the fuel rail jumper tubes were made of monolayer nylon 12 (pa12).in model year (my) 1998, the jumper tube material was changed from pa12 to m-bond (a multi-layer ptfe/pa12).in addition, all service parts produced since the end of production 1997 use the m-bond jumper tubes.
Fuel rail leaks
On March 3, 2004, general motors notified odi that it was recalling approximately 94,000 my 1995-97 Oldsmobile aurora vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines (rpo l47 - vin8 c) to address concerns with underhood fuel leakage from cracked fuel rails and, in some of the vehicles, cracked fuel return lines.
Fuel System complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1996 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1996 Cadillac Deville, 16% of the model year's 218 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system › fuel rail (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Cadillac Deville fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-110 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 4, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Cadillac Deville fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.