IllustrationEXTERIOR MIRRORS ARE TOO SMALL. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY AND BLIND SPOT. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE MIRRORS MET SPECIFICATIONS, AND NOTHING ELSE WOULD BE DONE. *AK *ML
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 reportsCAR MAKES MORE NOISE NOW THAN WHEN REPAIR ATTEMPTED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING AGAIN BUT NOT REPORTED TO DEALER. YET
A VERY SEVER VIBRATION OCCURES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER HAS TURNE ROTORS 3 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS AFTER 4-5 MONTHS. IT HAS NOW GOTTEN TO THE POINT I AM CONCERNED THE BRAKES WILL TOTALLY FAIL. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
WITHIN 30 MILES OF SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE {DOOR} AIR BAG DISCHARGED PUSHING THE DRIVER SIDE WAYS, ALTHOUGH HELD IN PLACE BY SEAT BELT SYSTEM.RESULTING INJURIES ARE STILL UNDERGOING THERAPY/EVALUATION. LACK OF RESPONSE FROM CADILLAC TO DIAGNOSE CAUSE NOW EXCEEDS 5 MONTHS. *AK
I PUT MY SON'S CAR SEAT IN THE BACK OF MY MOTHER IN-LAWS 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE (VIN GM [XXX]) AND BOTH OF THE MIDDLE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEATS PULLED OUT COMPLETELY! I REMOVED THE SEAT TO FIND OUT THAT THE NUTS THAT HOLD THE SEAT BELTS ON WERE NEVER INSTALLED. THE NUTS LAID UNDER THE SEAT, OBVIOUSLY NEVER EVEN PUT ON THE BO…
Read full complaint
I PUT MY SON'S CAR SEAT IN THE BACK OF MY MOTHER IN-LAWS 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE (VIN GM [XXX]) AND BOTH OF THE MIDDLE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEATS PULLED OUT COMPLETELY! I REMOVED THE SEAT TO FIND OUT THAT THE NUTS THAT HOLD THE SEAT BELTS ON WERE NEVER INSTALLED. THE NUTS LAID UNDER THE SEAT, OBVIOUSLY NEVER EVEN PUT ON THE BOLTS! THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE SEAT BELTS ON THE BOLTS WAS THE METAL ROD ("W" SHAPE) IN THE BACK SEAT (PART YOUR BACK LEANS UP AGAINST) OVERLAPPED THE BOLT AND THE STEEL PLATES THE SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO. I AM AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA AND I TEACH PRODUCT SAFETY & LIABILITY. I HAVE CONTACTED CADILLAC'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT A LOT OF THE TIMES THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS USUALLY YIELDS A FURTHER LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. I KNOW HOW INDUSTRY WORKS! THE BEAN COUNTERS IMMEDIATELY DETERMINE IF IT WILL COST MORE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR PAY THE CLAIMS! I WANT TO SEE TO IT THAT THE PROBLEM IS INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT OR A MAJOR MISTAKE IN MANUFACTURING THE PRODUCT. HOW CAN I BE GUARANTEED THAT I WILL FIND OUT HOW THIS MISTAKE OCCURRED? HOW CAN I BE GUARANTEED THAT CADILLAC WILL TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO DETERMINE IF THIS PROBLEM IS OUT THERE AND I AM THE FIRST PERSON TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I WANT TO SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE IS INJURED WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DISCOVERED! I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED AT WHAT I FOUND AND THE POTENTIAL FOR CHILD DEATH IS HIGH SHOULD SOMEONE BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT BUCKLED INTO THE MIDDLE OR SIDE OF THE CAR. I WANT TO BE CONTACTED PERSONALLY OVER THE PHONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE! MY PHONE NUMBER AT WORK IS[XXX] EXT. [XXX] AND MY NUMBER AT HOME IS [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I JUST WANT EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE THAT OWNS A VEHICLE MANUFACTURED WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THIS SERIOUS DEFECT NOTED! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON PULLING OUT ONTO THE ROAD DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIRBAG EXPERIENCED FALSE DEPLOYMENT WHILE DRIVING. NLM
ENGINE NOCKS AND MISFIRES WHEN COLD. *AK
WHILE DRVING VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. ALSO, THE DASH COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS NEED REPLACING. *AK *ML
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.