IllustrationI WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PLASTIC HEADLAMP COVER AND SEAL FLEW OFF OF MY CAR ONTO MOVING TRAFFIC. I CALLED THE CADILLAC DEARSHIP IN WHICH THEY SAY I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENTIRE HEADLAMP WHICH WILL COST $300. THE HEADLAMP HAD DRY CRACKED GLUE AROUND IT WHERE IT SEEMED LIKE THE GLUE GOT OLD AND STARTED TO CRACK.
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
What owners actually said
237 reportsDT: WHEN THE CONSUMER PULED INTO HER DRIVEWAY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE DISC BRAKE TRACTION STABILIZER LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SHE IMMEDIATELY PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE TO OPEN HER GARAGE DOOR. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE CAR IT WAS ROLLING AWAY. SHE JUMPED INTO IT TO STOP VEHICLE AND SHE TURNED THE WHEEL…
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DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER PULED INTO HER DRIVEWAY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE DISC BRAKE TRACTION STABILIZER LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SHE IMMEDIATELY PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE TO OPEN HER GARAGE DOOR. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE CAR IT WAS ROLLING AWAY. SHE JUMPED INTO IT TO STOP VEHICLE AND SHE TURNED THE WHEEL AND IT SEEMED TO SPIN OUT. SHE THREW IT INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. CALLER SAID IT SEEMED TO ACCELERATE WHEN SHE HIT THE BRAKES, AND WHEN SHE THREW IT INTO PARK. CALLER WAS INJURED. CALLER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE STREET, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.*AK
DT: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND VEHICLE LOST ABOUT 7 QUARTS OF OIL. THIS GOT ALL OVER THE MOTOR, MUFFLER, AND THE ROAD. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL, BUT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT WAS THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE WHOLE ENGINE WILL NEED R…
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DT: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND VEHICLE LOST ABOUT 7 QUARTS OF OIL. THIS GOT ALL OVER THE MOTOR, MUFFLER, AND THE ROAD. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL, BUT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT WAS THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE WHOLE ENGINE WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. FOR NEW ENGINE AND CLEAN UP IT WOULD COST $8,400.00 . *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MOTOR OVERHEATED CAUSING A STALL..WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE HEAD BOLTS STRIP OUT OF ALL NORTHSTAR MOTORS..COST OF REPAIR IS APROX. $3000.00..CALLED GM ASSIST HOTLINE AND TOLD THEY WILL OFFER NO HELP
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS VEHICLE GOT A FLAT. WHILE RAISING THE VEHICLE WITH ORIGINAL JACK IT SUDDENLY COLLAPSED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK THE JACK COLLAPSED CRUSHING THE AREA OF THE LOWER FRONT FENDER BEHIND THE WHEEL. THE JACK COLLAPSED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING ON THE SPARE AND HAND TIGHTENING THE NUTS. CAR WAS I…
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WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS VEHICLE GOT A FLAT. WHILE RAISING THE VEHICLE WITH ORIGINAL JACK IT SUDDENLY COLLAPSED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK THE JACK COLLAPSED CRUSHING THE AREA OF THE LOWER FRONT FENDER BEHIND THE WHEEL. THE JACK COLLAPSED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING ON THE SPARE AND HAND TIGHTENING THE NUTS. CAR WAS IN PARK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON. *BF *NM
1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING EQUIPMENT. *MR THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN AROUND LIKE A FAN AND BROKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER. *SC
THE WHEEL CRACKED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED IT WHILE PLACING AIR INTO THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *AK THE CRACK WAS 6 INCHES LONG IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. *SC *JB
BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED 4 TIMES SINCE NEW KEEP GETTING OUT OF ROUND AND NOW NEED REPLACED DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL MAINTENCE NOW BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AT TIMES WITH NO BRAKES AT ALL CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK TRANSMISSION HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR WHEN COLD WATER LEAK THAT CANNOT BE FOUND USES AT LEAST 1 GALLON P…
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BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED 4 TIMES SINCE NEW KEEP GETTING OUT OF ROUND AND NOW NEED REPLACED DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL MAINTENCE NOW BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AT TIMES WITH NO BRAKES AT ALL CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK TRANSMISSION HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR WHEN COLD WATER LEAK THAT CANNOT BE FOUND USES AT LEAST 1 GALLON PER WEEK OR MORE WHEELS KEEP LOSING AIR CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT NO LEAKS IN TIRES RETURNED TO DEALER MANY TIMES FOR REPAIR AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON -RETURNED TO DEALER AND NOT FIXED
(1) NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE UNDER HOOD, SAW STANDING GAS ON ENGINE; (2) FUEL RAIL CRACKED, RESULTED IN LARGE GAS LEAK ONTO ENGINE BLOCK; (3) FUEL RAIL REPLACED, OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE.*AK
THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THIS DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE AUG. 2002 AND THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURES AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE KEEP RECURRING. *JB ANNTENA STUCK UP. POWER ANTENNA ASSEMBLY REP…
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THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THIS DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE AUG. 2002 AND THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURES AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE KEEP RECURRING. *JB ANNTENA STUCK UP. POWER ANTENNA ASSEMBLY REPLACED. OIL LEVEL LOW AND OIL LIGHT IS ON. THERE WAS NO READING ON THE DIPSTICK. HAD TO ADD TWO QUARTS OF OIL AFTER DRIVING 1500 MILES. OIL LIFE INDICATOR WAS RESET. PISTON, ROD AND OIL RINGS REPLACED. DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT COVER FELL OFF WITH BULB BURNT OUT. HEADLAMP HOUSING ASSEMBLY REPLACED. CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. BATTERY REPLACED. CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING. DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT/SWITCH INOPERATIVE. WHILE GIVING GAS HESITATES; STRUGGLES UP A HILL. SPARK PLUG WIRE REPLACED. NOTIFICATION BY POSTCARD. ORDERED PARTS. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WON'T GO UP. REPLACED LEFT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH. SES LIGHT ON. EXHAUST RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR) REPLACED. TRANSMISSION MAKES A GRINDING NOISE ON FAST ACCELERATION. DEALER FOUND THE EXHAUST PIPE AT THE REAR OF THE CONVERTER SHIFTING A CROSS BRACE WHEN ACCELERATING. REARVIEW MIRROR BROKE OFF BASE. *TT
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.