IllustrationVEHICLE HYDROPLANED OFF WET HIGHWAY INTO TREES; DRIVER KILLED UPON INPACT (LEFT SIDE & FRONT) WHEN NEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, RECALL K00066-S/NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V217000. *YD
1998 Cadillac Deville
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Deville years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Cadillac Deville are substantially higher than the model-year median of 44.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Deville years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
1325–50K
1750–75K
1375–100K
18100–150K
3150K+
69 reports with mileage · 168 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports1 fire reports14 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
34 reportsFRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
DIRECT SIDE IMPACT CAUSING $10000 DAMAGE- AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
IN AUGUST 2000, A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG ON 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY CADILLAC, AND THE DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY PARTS. HAS THE RECALL BEEN CANCELED?*AK
RECALL 00V217000; CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER LAST OCTOBER, AND HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DEALER SINCE THEN. DEALER KEPT TELLING CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET. CONSUMER HAS ALSO CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, ONLY TO BE TOLD WHEN HIS TURN COMES THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM. *AK SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMEN…
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RECALL 00V217000; CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER LAST OCTOBER, AND HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DEALER SINCE THEN. DEALER KEPT TELLING CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET. CONSUMER HAS ALSO CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, ONLY TO BE TOLD WHEN HIS TURN COMES THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM. *AK SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMENTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE SINCE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. *YH
CADILLAC ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR 1998 & 1999 SEDAN DEVILLES IN SEPT. 2000 RELATING TO THE POSSIBLE UNINTENDED ACTIVIATION OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH AS A RESULT. I PURCHASED A '98 SEDAN DEVILLE ON OCT. 6, 2000 AND THE ETTLESON CADILLAC SALESMAN AT NO TIME TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WA…
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CADILLAC ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR 1998 & 1999 SEDAN DEVILLES IN SEPT. 2000 RELATING TO THE POSSIBLE UNINTENDED ACTIVIATION OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH AS A RESULT. I PURCHASED A '98 SEDAN DEVILLE ON OCT. 6, 2000 AND THE ETTLESON CADILLAC SALESMAN AT NO TIME TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL AND THAT WE MIGHT BE IN DANGER DRIVING THE CAR. UNTIL THE SENSOR MODULES WERE REPLACED. I DROVE 1,200 MILES BACK TO COLORADO AND DID NOT LEARN OF THE DANGER UNTIL TWO WEEKS LATER THROUGH ARTICLES IN THE NEW YORK TIMES AND WALL STREET JOURNAL. WHEN I WROTE THE SALESMAN ASKING WHY HE DID NOT WARN ME HE DECLARED--HARD TO BELIEVE--THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY SAFETY RECALL. (I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR IN THAT CONDITION, OF COURSE, AND HE PROBABLY REALIZED THAT.) WHEN I WROTE ETTLESON'S GENERAL MANAGER, LARRY SMOLINSKI, TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HIS DEALERSHIP SELLING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING ME OF THE POSSIBLE DANGER, SMOLINSKI DID NOT BOTHER TO REPLY TO MY LETTER. HOW WOULD A GOVERNMENT AGENCY RESPOND IF WALMART WERE TO SELL TOASTERS THAT WERE A KNOWN FIRE HAZARD AND NOT EVEN WARN ITS CUSTOMERS? IF A RECALL WERE ORDERED FOR A DANGEROUS TOY COULD TOYS R US CONTINUE TO SELL IT? THIS DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE REPRIMANDED BY YOUR AGENCY FOR THIS DANGEROUS PRACTICE. *AK
WAS TRAVELING 25MPH OR HIGHER ON A KENTUCKY ROAD FAILED TO MAKE A CURB, AND VEHICLE SLID ON A PATCH OF ICE. HIT A ROCK HARD , JUMPED INTO A DITCH. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WAS IN DITCH FOR 12 HOURS. VEHICLE WAS LAYING ON ITS SIDE. DRIVER SUSTAINED A CRACKED ELBOW. *AK
THE CONSUMER IS UNHAPPY WITH RECALL 00V-217 BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO FURNISH HER WITH A CAR TO DRIVE UNTIL THE RECALL COMPONENT IS REPAIRED. NLM
CONSUMER WILL COMPLET INFORMATION FORM CONCERNING AIR BAGS SIDE RECALL. *AK THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PART TO BE REPLACED FOR MANUFACTURER RECALL. *YH
WAS TOLD BY DEALER I COULD PARK CAR UNTIL APRIL 2001 WHEN A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED OR SIGN A WAIVER AND HAVE AIR BAGS DISCONNECTED. *AK
Official recalls
300V217000 · Air Bags:side/window
Aug 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR MODULES HAVE QUALITY PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. THESE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH LESS FORCE THAN A FRONTAL AIR BAG AND ARE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: HOWEVER, AN OCCUPANT CAN RECEIVE SOME INJURY FROM A DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT SENSING MODULES. IF THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE SIDE AIR BAGS TEMPORARILY DISCONECTED, THE TEMPORARY DISCONNECT WILL BE REMOVED BEFORE REPLACING THE SIDE IMPACT SENSING MODULES.
97V232000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
Dec 18, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH HOOD HINGE PIVOT BOLTS WHICH CAN BREAK DUE TO AN IMPROPER HEAT TREAT CONDITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 219, "WINDSHIELD ZONE INTRUSION." A BROKEN BOLT CAN CAUSE EITHER THE CORNER OF THE HOOD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD TO RAISE, OR ONE SIDE OF THE HOOD TO BE UNSTABLE WHEN OPENED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE HOOD COULD BE PUSHED BACK THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS POSSIBLY INJURING THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD HINGE PIVOT BOLTS.
97V183000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 27, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSES AND LIMOUSINES. THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES WAS MISROUTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE HARNESS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE LINKAGE PREVENTING RETURN TO A CLOSED THROTTLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE HARNESS, CORRECT AS NECESSARY, AND INSTALL A PLASTIC TIE STRAP TO THE HARNESS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA00004 · Inadvertent Of Side Impact Air Bag
Opened Feb 15, 2000 · Closed Sep 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
There is no summary currently available
PE99061 · Inadvertent Deployment Of Side Air Bag
Opened Sep 27, 1999 · Closed Feb 15, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THIS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY DUE TO A NUMBER OF ROOT CAUSED INCLUDING: ERRONEOUS ACCELERATION INPUTS OR FALSE ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ALGORITHM DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM); FALSE ACTIVATION RESULTING FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SDM WIRING HARNESS; AND FALSE ACCELERATION INPUTS RESULTING FROM IMPROPER SDM INSTALLATION.IN EACH CASE, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT TO OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.THE SCOPE OF THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY 1997 DEVILLE VEHICLES.ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 253 REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF A SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG ON 1997-1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE VEHICLES.GM HAS MADE 8 MODIFICATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN OF THE SIDE IMPACT SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SOME OF WHICH ARE FOCUSED ON REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF A SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG CAN RESULT IN UNWARRANTED INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS AND PRESENTS THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTOL. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE IF A POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.