NHTSA Complaint #746646 — 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE

I HAVE A 1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE THAT I PURCHASED NEW. AT ABOUT 83K MILES, I NOTICED THAT AN OIL LEAK HAD STARTED FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER NEAR WHERE I LIVE NOW (MORITZ CADILLAC IN ARLINGTON, TX), AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF THE OIL LEAK WAS THE WEARING OUT OF THE ENGINE SEALS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. I WAS THEN TOLD IT WOULD COST $1,800 TO REPAIR AS IT WOULD REQUIRE THE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE FROM THE CAR TO REPAIR (ABOUT 18 HOURS OF LABOR). AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB I FOUND THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CADILLAC'S WITH THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE, AND BECAUSE THE COST IS SO HIGH, MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR OWNERS TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE, AND HENCE ARE DRIVING CARS THAT ARE BOTH ENVIRONMENTALLY UNSOUND AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE DUE TO THE LEAKING OIL.