Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1974 DeVille.
The 1974 Cadillac DeVille is documented with only two owner complaints and a single recall, the former concentrating on the wheels. Its complaint record precedes the 1990‑2005 period in which complaint volumes ranged from 94 in 1990 to 306 in 1997, showing that the early‑year model experienced far fewer reported issues than later generations. Consequently, the 1974 DeVille sits at the low end of the reliability spectrum for the nameplate, reflecting a relatively quiet early service history.
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the DeVille of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Coupe 8.2L V8 | 10.90 sec | 17.66 sec | 190 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1974 Cadillac DeVille sits at the beginning of a decade of escalating complaints, with 1990 reporting 94 complaints and 1992 jumping to 169 before peaking at 306 in 1997. Recall activity remained low throughout, never exceeding two recalls per year, while investigations hovered between zero and six. The 1974 model’s complaint profile—dominated by wheels and exterior lighting—mirrors the early‑year trend of few complaints, and its single crash and fire complaint are below the average for the mid‑1990s. Given that the 1974 year precedes the steep rise in complaints and recalls, it represents a comparatively stable period for the DeVille line. Therefore, a 1974 DeVille may be a prudent choice if you can find a well‑maintained example, as it likely avoids the later‑generation issues that became more common.
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Remedy:
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.