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 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2004
Exterior Lighting
TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS OF 2003 I NOTICED THE CLEAR PLASTIC OUTSIDE SHIELD TO MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING, IT JUST FELL OFF. NOW THIS COVER IS PART OF A SEALED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO PROTECT THE LIGHT BULBS FROM THE WEATHER ELEMENTS SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BURN OUT. THIS PART IS SUPPOSE TO BE PERMANENTLY GLUE …
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TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS OF 2003 I NOTICED THE CLEAR PLASTIC OUTSIDE SHIELD TO MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING, IT JUST FELL OFF. NOW THIS COVER IS PART OF A SEALED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO PROTECT THE LIGHT BULBS FROM THE WEATHER ELEMENTS SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BURN OUT. THIS PART IS SUPPOSE TO BE PERMANENTLY GLUE TOGETHER BUT APPARENTLY IT WASN'T, SO I CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE AND IT WAS LOOSE AND IT FELL OFF IN MY HAND. I DROVE TO MY LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER TO ASK THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND TO SEE IF THEY HAD NEW SHIELDS. THE PARTS MANAGER PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS ONE PIECE AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY KEEP THEM IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM ALL THE TIME. THE COST OF THESE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE $250.00 A PIECE FOR A PART THAT SHOULD LAST A LIFE TIME UNLESS DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT. I ASKED HIM IF THERE WAS SOME KIND OF RECALL AND HE SAID NO. MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING IS WHEN THE WEATHER ELEMENTS HIT MY HEADLIGHT BULB IT BLEW IT OUT. IF I WOULDN'T HAVE NOTICE MY OTHER COVER WAS LOOSE I WOULD HAVE LOST ALL LIGHTING AND MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WENT TO AN AUTO WRECKER AND BOUGHT A USED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR $160.00 AND I HAVE THE OTHER COVER BUNGEE STRAPPED ON. I CONTACTED GM BY E-MAIL SEVERAL WEEKS AGO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER RESPONDED TO MY E-MAIL AND I KNOW THEY GOT IT. I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO BLOW ME OFF SO THAT NOTHING COMES OF THIS, SO I HOPE SOMEONE WILL REVIEW THIS PROBLEM AND HELP ME AND OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP CLIFF DILLING DDTASERVICESINC@EPOHI.COM *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056236
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other
RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LENSE FELL OFF. REPAIRED FEBRUARY 19, 2003. LEFT FRONT HEAD LAMP LENSE FELL OFF, DECEMBER 19, 2001. THESE HEAD LAMPS ARE NOT SEALED PROPERLY CAUSING LENSE TO FALL OFF. WHEN BROUGHT IN FEBRUARY 19, 2003 A 1998 CADILLAC CAME IN BEHIND MINE AND I ASK THE DRIVER IF HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE STATED THAT…
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RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP LENSE FELL OFF. REPAIRED FEBRUARY 19, 2003. LEFT FRONT HEAD LAMP LENSE FELL OFF, DECEMBER 19, 2001. THESE HEAD LAMPS ARE NOT SEALED PROPERLY CAUSING LENSE TO FALL OFF. WHEN BROUGHT IN FEBRUARY 19, 2003 A 1998 CADILLAC CAME IN BEHIND MINE AND I ASK THE DRIVER IF HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE STATED THAT HIS RIGHT LENSE HAD FALLEN OFF. CHECKING WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT I WAS INFORMED THEY KEEP PLENTY OF THESE IN STOCK AS IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. WHEN THE FIRST ONE FELL OFF IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I PURCHASED A EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY BUT EXTENDED FOR 2 ADDITIONAL YEARS AND 25,000 MILES. WHEN I HAD THE SECOND LENSE REPLACED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2003 THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. CADILLAC IS CHARGING $245.00 FOR A DEFECTED PART PLUS TAX AND LABOR.
NHTSA ODI #10070035
105,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS AND MAIN SEAL LEAKING. 4.6L V8.
NHTSA ODI #10069139
90,000 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Steering
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT SLOW SPEED POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS FOR A FEW SECONDS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. OTHER TIMES IT OPERATES NORMALLY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043519
88,000 miles · Sep 16, 2003
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER/STEERING, AND WOULD NOT RETURN WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED BACK TO FORWARD DRIVING POSITION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10040015
53,633 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Exterior Lighting
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS LENS WILL FALL OFF, CAUSING A DISTRACTING TO CONSUMER VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TS
NHTSA ODI #10032274
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2003
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH ON GRAVEL ROAD DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10038519
30,705 miles · Sep 2, 2003
Visibility
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS FAILURE OCCURRED OVER A HALF OF DOZEN TIMES. HE ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH HIS ASTRO VAN, AND FLEETWOOD TRAILER. *…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS FAILURE OCCURRED OVER A HALF OF DOZEN TIMES. HE ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH HIS ASTRO VAN, AND FLEETWOOD TRAILER. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10032272
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2003
Steering
WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS, WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INOPERATIVE. THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10034259
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS FELL OFF. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT LENS OFF. THE DEALER STATED THE GLUE HAD DETERIORATED DUE TO AGE. *AK *CB *JB
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.
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.
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
3
RQ03001 · 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.
1998 Cadillac Deville Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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