NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Cadillac Deville Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Cadillac Deville has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 236 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Cadillac Deville, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Cadillac Deville owner complaints

Owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Cadillac Deville, describing incidents dated October 1, 1997 to February 7, 2018.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 43 complaints
Air Bags 34 complaints
Service Brakes 34 complaints
Engine 33 complaints
Electrical System 18 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 15 complaints

Of the 236 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 236 complaints, owners report 17 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11073152 · Filed February 15, 2018
MY 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE NEEDS A VITAL PART TO IT'S ABS/TRACTION CONTROL FUNCTION. HOWEVER, GM HAS DISCONTINUED MAKING THE PART, (#19244918)WITH NO AVAILABLE SUBSTITUTE. THEREFORE, LEAVING MY CAR WITH NO ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION NO LONGER ENGAGES 1ST GEAR. (A SUPPOSED SAFTEY…
ODI #11052683 · Filed December 6, 2017
FUEL RAIL LINE IS MADE OF PLASTIC/NYLON AND HAS CRACKED NEAR ONE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE AND LEAKING FUEL ON MY MARCH 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE
ODI #10967955 · Filed March 23, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON A FEW DAYS AGO. ALSO, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND NEEDED NEW WATER PUMP SEVERAL YEARS AGO. KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. SMOKE WAS COMING UP FROM FRONT AND TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. HAD TO REPLACE FALL 2016 HORN DID NOT WORK, HAD TO REPLACE PART INSIDE STEERING…

Read all 236 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Cadillac Deville in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ03-001: POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Closed September 15, 2003
Engineering Analysis EA00-004: INADVERTENT OF SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG
Closed September 28, 2000
- Recall 00V-217
Preliminary Evaluation PE99-061: INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAG
Closed February 15, 2000

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/SIDE IMPACT SENSOR MODULE

NHTSA #00V217000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported August 11, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 215,293 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00066 · Owners notified June 1, 2001 · Vehicles built March 1, 1997 – August 31, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

HOWEVER, AN OCCUPANT CAN RECEIVE SOME INJURY FROM A DEPLOYMENT.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES.THE FIRST PHASE OF MAILING BEGAN JUNE 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/FMVSS 219

NHTSA #97V232000 · Structure — Body — Hood — Hinge and Attachments · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 14,423 vehicles

Owners notified January 1, 1998 · Vehicles built September 1, 1997 – November 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE HOOD COULD BE PUSHED BACK THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS POSSIBLY INJURING THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD HINGE PIVOT BOLTS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

GM/EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS

NHTSA #97V183000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported October 27, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 8,611 vehicles

Owners notified November 1, 1997 · Vehicles built March 1, 1997 – August 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSES AND LIMOUSINES. THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES WAS MISROUTED.

Safety consequence

THE HARNESS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE LINKAGE PREVENTING RETURN TO A CLOSED THROTTLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE HARNESS, CORRECT AS NECESSARY, AND INSTALL A PLASTIC TIE STRAP TO THE HARNESS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATE OCTOBER OR EARLY NOVEMBER 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1998 Cadillac Deville 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

236 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Cadillac Deville.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #11073152

Incident: February 7, 2018 · Filed: February 15, 2018

MY 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE NEEDS A VITAL PART TO IT'S ABS/TRACTION CONTROL FUNCTION. HOWEVER, GM HAS DISCONTINUED MAKING THE PART, (#19244918)WITH NO AVAILABLE SUBSTITUTE. THEREFORE, LEAVING MY CAR WITH NO ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION NO LONGER ENGAGES 1ST GEAR. (A SUPPOSED SAFTEY MEASURE)WHICH IN MOST CASES, ONLY PUTS MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AT RISK. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW OR IF, GM CAN LEGALLY PUT PROFITS BEFORE SAFETY.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11052683

Incident: December 5, 2017 · Filed: December 6, 2017

FUEL RAIL LINE IS MADE OF PLASTIC/NYLON AND HAS CRACKED NEAR ONE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE AND LEAKING FUEL ON MY MARCH 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE

Air Bags; Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #10967955

Incident: March 21, 2017 · Filed: March 23, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON A FEW DAYS AGO. ALSO, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND NEEDED NEW WATER PUMP SEVERAL YEARS AGO. KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. SMOKE WAS COMING UP FROM FRONT AND TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. HAD TO REPLACE FALL 2016 HORN DID NOT WORK, HAD TO REPLACE PART INSIDE STEERING WHEEL. JAN 2017

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10731425

Incident: June 25, 2015 · Filed: July 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND TWO PIN SIZE HOLE ON THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL LINES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH METAL LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,211.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10713316

Incident: April 14, 2015 · Filed: April 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL RAIL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. TH VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

Air Bags

ODI #10689881

Incident: February 19, 2015 · Filed: February 22, 2015

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SENSOR OF MY VEHICLE IN 2000. I WAS NOT AWARE OF @ THAT TIME BECAUSE I HAD NOT PURCHASED IT FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP YET. ON FEB.16,2015 I CALLED THE 1800.458.8006 & WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE PART DIAGNOSED & FIXED IF NEEDED. THE REP. & I WENT BACK & FORTH AS TO WHO SHOULD PAY FOR THIS ETC.,.I CALLED AGAIN ON 2-19-2015 SPOKE WITH ANOTHER REP. STILL GOT THE SAME ANSWER.BASICALLY I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED OUT IN 2001. WHEN I ASKED BOTH REPS.THAT I SPOKE WITH IF THAT MEANT THERE WAS A EXPIRATION DATE, I WAS TOLD NO. THERE WERE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT I ASKED IN REFERENCE TO THE MATTER THAT DOES NOT ADD UP BETWEEN EACH REP. & THE LOCAL CADILLAC TECHNICIAN THAT THE FIRST REP. CONNECTED ME WITH. I NEED HELP IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM.THE CASE # [XXX]. THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS I DOCUMENTED IF NEEDED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10641665

Incident: January 14, 2014 · Filed: October 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10592858

Incident: March 4, 2011 · Filed: May 20, 2014

UNABLE TO PASS ILLINOIS VEHICLE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE SPEED CONTROL HAS NOT WORK ED IN YEARS I'M UNABLE TO PASS THE POLLUTION TEST. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10462802

Incident: November 24, 2011 · Filed: June 22, 2012

I AS DRIVING ON A FARMED MARKET ROAD (F.M.) APPROX. 55 MPH. AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS FLEW OFF THE CAR. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANY OTHER CARS BEHIND ME, AND THERE WASN'T ANY DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND/OR ANYONE ELSES VEHICLE. AFTER I RETURNED HOME, I CHECKED THE DRIVER'S SIDE LENS TO DISCOVER IT WAS LOOSE AS WELL.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10447222

Crash 1 injury

Incident: February 8, 2012 · Filed: February 8, 2012

CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN COMING UP TO A STOPLIGHT CAR SUDDENLY DIED, AT THE SAME TIME WHITE SMOKE CAME BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR, IT CAUSED A TRAFFIC HAZARD IN WHICH NOBODY COULD SEE HER CAR, SHE WAS REARENDED, AS WELL AS THE GUY THAT REARENDED HER. THE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE THAT REARENDED HER ENDED UP GETTING HIS NOSE BROKEN WHEN HE HIT HIS STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR HEAD BOLTS HAD PULLED FROM THE BLOCK CAUSING THE HEAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BLOCK OF THE VEHICLE, QUOTED $4500 TO REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS A NORTHSTAR ENGINE. VEHICLE THEN BROUGHT TO ME TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

Other Cadillac Deville model years

Check your 1998 Cadillac Deville VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac Deville at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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