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1999 Cadillac Deville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Deville years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Deville are substantially higher than the model-year median of 44.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

69 reports with mileage · 118 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports4 fire reports23 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

47 reports
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140,000 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE RADIATOR AND IT CONTINUED TO OVER HEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT I MY CROSS OVER PIPES WERE LEAKING AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I FOUND THIS VERY HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN I HAVE TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF THE MY CARE WITH SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE…

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MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE RADIATOR AND IT CONTINUED TO OVER HEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT I MY CROSS OVER PIPES WERE LEAKING AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I FOUND THIS VERY HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN I HAVE TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF THE MY CARE WITH SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AND THE WORKS. I LOVE MY CAR AND I DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT, PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411633

169,400 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGE TEMPERATURE READING WAS EXTREMELY HIGH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, HEATER FAN SWITCH, THERMOSTAT AND SERPENTINE BELT. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGE TEMPERATURE READING WAS EXTREMELY HIGH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, HEATER FAN SWITCH, THERMOSTAT AND SERPENTINE BELT. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,400. UPDATED 10/21/11*LJ UPDATED 3/20/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10407155

94,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS STEAM ACCUMULATED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS STEAM ACCUMULATED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS HAD BECOME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 10/21/11*LJ UPDATED 3/16/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10407148

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE PERSISTENTLY OVERHEATS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE THERMOSTAT, UPPER RADIATOR HOSE AND RESERVOIR WERE REPLACED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED EXHAUST WAS ENTERING THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT SMOKE…

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1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE PERSISTENTLY OVERHEATS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE THERMOSTAT, UPPER RADIATOR HOSE AND RESERVOIR WERE REPLACED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED EXHAUST WAS ENTERING THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT SMOKE OF ANY COLOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10375888

148,987 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE WITH A V8, 4.6 LITER NORTH STAR ALUMINUM ENGINE. HE STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. THIS WAS A FREQUENT FAILURE OCCURRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE FLY-WHEEL FAILED AND THE R…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE WITH A V8, 4.6 LITER NORTH STAR ALUMINUM ENGINE. HE STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. THIS WAS A FREQUENT FAILURE OCCURRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE FLY-WHEEL FAILED AND THE RIGHT CYLINDER WAS MISSING THE SOFT PLUG BEHIND THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE CYLINDERS AND THROUGH THE TAIL PIPE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DROPPED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE FLY-WHEEL AND THE FREEZE PLUG WAS ALSO REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION STATION. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,987 AND THE CURRENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED.

NHTSA ODI #10314379

70,000 miles · Sep 25, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED, WHICH CAUSED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $4500.00. ONE YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED, WHICH CAUSED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $4500.00. ONE YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THEY WERE AWARE THAT NORTH STAR ENGINES ARE PRONE TO BACK-FIRING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000, THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED 10/22/09

NHTSA ODI #10285240

86,629 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED A COOLANT AND WATER PUMP LEAK, AS WELL AS ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS PRESSURE BUILD-UP AND HEAD GASKET FAILURE, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED A COOLANT AND WATER PUMP LEAK, AS WELL AS ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS PRESSURE BUILD-UP AND HEAD GASKET FAILURE, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $3,000. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONTACT'S CLAIM DUE TO THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AND BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 86,629. UPDATED 04/29/30. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10263045

40,000 miles · Mar 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

1999 CADILLAC, REPEATEDLY STALLS WHEN DECELERATING. DANGEROUS ON EXIT RAMPS!. FOUND THREE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. ODI ID'S 10149696, 10119213 AND 10094677. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER(S) AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS AND NO PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261830

181,200 miles · Feb 7, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

IM DISABLE I DRIVE WITH HAND CONTROL. AS I WAS DRIVEN I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL . AND THEN MY FRONT WINDOW FROG UP WITH STEAM. AND THEN I HEARD THIS LOAD BUM. MY FOOT JUST START JUMPING AROUND AND I LOOK DOWN THERE WERE A PILE OF WATER HOT . I PULL OVER AND NOTICE THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD BURST WHICH LEFT ME WITH A SECOND AND THI…

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IM DISABLE I DRIVE WITH HAND CONTROL. AS I WAS DRIVEN I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL . AND THEN MY FRONT WINDOW FROG UP WITH STEAM. AND THEN I HEARD THIS LOAD BUM. MY FOOT JUST START JUMPING AROUND AND I LOOK DOWN THERE WERE A PILE OF WATER HOT . I PULL OVER AND NOTICE THAT THE HEATER CORE HAD BURST WHICH LEFT ME WITH A SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE BURN ON MY RIGHT FOOT. I HAVE NOT REPAIR THE CAR YET . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257799

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES. HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND THERMOSTAT. THE CAR STILL OVERHEATS. TOOK THE CAR TO TECHNICIAN WHO SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD COST $7,000. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, MY DAUGHTER DISCOVERED THE CADILLAC DEVILLE 1999 NORTHSTAR MODEL/VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES DUE TO OVERH…

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES. HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND THERMOSTAT. THE CAR STILL OVERHEATS. TOOK THE CAR TO TECHNICIAN WHO SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD COST $7,000. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, MY DAUGHTER DISCOVERED THE CADILLAC DEVILLE 1999 NORTHSTAR MODEL/VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES DUE TO OVERHEATING AND HEAD GASKETS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248410

Official recalls

1

00V217000 · 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.

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

2

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.