IllustrationVEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
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 reportsLEFT LENS FELL OFF OF VEHICLE. *MR WHILE IN MOTION, THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT LENS HAD FALLEN OFF. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE LEFT LENS HAD FALLEN OFF AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GLUE NOT HOLDING THE LENSES. *SCC *JB
BOTH LENSES HAVE DETACHED FROM THE HEADLIGHTS. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS BLEW OUT. *AK THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS HAD FALLEN OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE RAIN STRUCK THE UNPROTECTED HEADLIGHT AND CAUSED IT TO BURN OUT. THE LEFT LENS WAS ALSO LOOSE BUT DID NOT FALL OUT. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *SCC …
Read full complaint
BOTH LENSES HAVE DETACHED FROM THE HEADLIGHTS. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS BLEW OUT. *AK THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS HAD FALLEN OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE RAIN STRUCK THE UNPROTECTED HEADLIGHT AND CAUSED IT TO BURN OUT. THE LEFT LENS WAS ALSO LOOSE BUT DID NOT FALL OUT. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
THE HEAD LIGHT LENS FELL OFF UNKNOWINGLY, WHICH RESULTED IN THE BULB BLOWING OUT. THE HEAD LIGHT LENS WAS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.*JB *CB *JB
WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT FLICKERED ON/OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB
IN APRIL 2001, AT 37,000 MILES, AIR CONDITION/HEAT FAN MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) BY A DEALER. AGAIN IN APRIL, 2003, AT 53,300 MILES, LOCAL DEALER SAYS MOTOR IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO REPLACED AT COST OF $420. ATTITUDE OF DEALER AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT "STUFF HAPPENS". MY BELIEF IS THIS FAILU…
Read full complaint
IN APRIL 2001, AT 37,000 MILES, AIR CONDITION/HEAT FAN MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) BY A DEALER. AGAIN IN APRIL, 2003, AT 53,300 MILES, LOCAL DEALER SAYS MOTOR IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO REPLACED AT COST OF $420. ATTITUDE OF DEALER AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT "STUFF HAPPENS". MY BELIEF IS THIS FAILURE RATE INDICATES PROBLEM WITH QUALITY OF FAN MOTOR OR PROBLEM WITH MOTOR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. *JB
CHILD SAFETY SEAT QUESTIONNAIRE MODEL NUMBER : 22-150-BNB. MR SCC *JB
BOTH HEADLIGHT LENS CAME OFF. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE LENS COULD NOT BE REPLACED BY ITSELF SO HAD TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL 2 SEALED HEADLIGHT UNITS. COST OF OVER $600. DEALER PICKED UP HALF THE COST. CAR HAD ONLY 40,000 MILES. I CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ALL THEY SAID THEY COULD DO WAS TO CONTACT THE DEALER WHICH I…
Read full complaint
BOTH HEADLIGHT LENS CAME OFF. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE LENS COULD NOT BE REPLACED BY ITSELF SO HAD TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL 2 SEALED HEADLIGHT UNITS. COST OF OVER $600. DEALER PICKED UP HALF THE COST. CAR HAD ONLY 40,000 MILES. I CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ALL THEY SAID THEY COULD DO WAS TO CONTACT THE DEALER WHICH I HAD ALREADY WORKED WITH. DEALER FEELS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE 'WE REPLACE A LOT OF THESE ON '97 & 98' DEVILLES, GRAND AM'S, AND OTHER SIMILAR PRODUCTS. THESE ARE SEALED UNITS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER SEALED UNIT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (ORIGINAL OR EXTENDED). IT'S CONSIDERED TRIM WHICH IS NOT RIGHT. WHAT MAKES A SEALED HEADLAMP ANY LESS IMPORTANT THAN ANY OTHER SEALED UNIT ON THE CAR? CERTAINLY ITS LOCATION SHOULD NOT. IT'S JUST PLAIN A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND CADILLAC SHOULD FACE IT AND MAKE IT RIGHT.*JB
MY HEADLIGHT LENS BLEW OFF THE CAR AND HIT THE WINSHEILD. SINCE IT WAS RAINING AND SNOWING THIS CAUSED MY HEADLIGHT TO GO OUT. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND SAW THE LENS WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE ASM. IN CHECKING THE OTHER HEADLIGHT I FOUND IT TO WAS READY TO COME OFF. THE OTHER HEAD LIGHT WAS VERY LOOSE. THE DEALER HAD …
Read full complaint
MY HEADLIGHT LENS BLEW OFF THE CAR AND HIT THE WINSHEILD. SINCE IT WAS RAINING AND SNOWING THIS CAUSED MY HEADLIGHT TO GO OUT. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND SAW THE LENS WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE ASM. IN CHECKING THE OTHER HEADLIGHT I FOUND IT TO WAS READY TO COME OFF. THE OTHER HEAD LIGHT WAS VERY LOOSE. THE DEALER HAD STATED THIS WAS A PROBLEM ON 1998 CADILLACS BUT STATE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. CALLED THE 800 # AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. IN CHECKING I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND ONE STATED THE POSITION CADILLAC IS TAKING IS THAT THE LENS IS A TRIM ITEM. IF THIS WAS FACT THEN THE LENS SHOULD BE SOLD AS A SEPERATE TRIM ITEM. THE FACT IS IT CAN NOT AND IS SOLD AS A ASSEMBLY WHICH COST $245 EACH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFRY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER AND ANYONE WHO COULD BE HIT BY THE LENS. I FEEL THIS SCAM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM WITH SO MANY SAFTEY COMPAINTS. I ALSO FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 1998 -1999. *JB
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT ON MY 1998 CADELLAC DEVELLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE LENS BLEW OFF THE CAR AND WENT FLYING. THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I STOPED TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPEN - SAW NO LENS ON THE ONE SIDE. CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE AND THE LENS WAS READY TO FALL OFF. I HAD NOT LIGHTS ON ONE SIDE AND IF I HAD NO…
Read full complaint
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT ON MY 1998 CADELLAC DEVELLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE LENS BLEW OFF THE CAR AND WENT FLYING. THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I STOPED TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPEN - SAW NO LENS ON THE ONE SIDE. CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE AND THE LENS WAS READY TO FALL OFF. I HAD NOT LIGHTS ON ONE SIDE AND IF I HAD NOT WIRED THE OTHER LENS IN PLACE IT WOULD HAVE BLEW OFF AND I WOULD HAVE HAD NO HEADLIGHTS. CONTACED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE 800#. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM STATING IT WAS OUT OF WARRENTY. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I AM FINDING THEIR HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLANTS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELEIVE AN INVESTIGATION IS IN ORDER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVE AND A PROJECTILE COULD DO A GREAT DEAL OF HARM TO A PERSON BEING STRUCK BUT THE FLYING LENS. THE SAD PART IS YOU CAN NOT EVEN BUY A LENS. TH E DEALER WILL ONLY SELL YOU A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT $240. HOW WOULD ONE KNOW IF THE NEW ASM WILL NOT DO THE SAME?
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.