1998 Cadillac Deville Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11073152

Incident

Feb 7, 2018

Mileage

82,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11052683

Incident

Dec 5, 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

NHTSA ID

10967955

Incident

Mar 21, 2017

Mileage

4 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10731425

Incident

Jun 25, 2015

Mileage

74,211 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10713316

Incident

Apr 14, 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

NHTSA ID

10689881

Incident

Feb 19, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID

10641665

Incident

Jan 14, 2014

Mileage

120,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10592858

Incident

Mar 4, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID

10462802

Incident

Nov 24, 2011

Mileage

93,259 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10447222

Incident

Feb 8, 2012

Mileage

131,423 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS THEN ENGAGED, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES, THE CRUISE CONTROL EVENTUALLY DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V183000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10415208

Incident

Jul 24, 2011

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL DUE TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION FOR A FEW MINUTES. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FREEZE PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE WARPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID

10407556

Incident

Nov 1, 2010

Mileage

110,000 mi

NOTICED THAT ONE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, BUT I STILL HAD THE HIGH BEAM. A FEW DAYS LATER BOTH WERE OUT. WENT TO AUTO PARTS STORE TO HAVE THEM PUT IN NEW BULBS AND THEY NOTICED THE THAT PLASTIC COVER WAS MISSING AND THEY SAID THAT CAUSED THE BULBS TO SHORT OUT. FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I'M AFRAID I WILL HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS FOR A NEW ASSEMBLY WHEN ALL I NEED IS A PLASTIC COVER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10373815

Incident

Nov 25, 2010

Mileage

100,520 mi

HEADLAMP LENSES CLOUD REDUCING NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER AND FOR OTHER VEHICLES. POLYCARBONATE LENSES DISCOLOR AND TURN YELLOW. PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE ACROSS MOST MAKES AND MODELS. REPLACEMENT LENSES ARE VERY COSTLY. THE PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST WHEN GLASS HEADLAMPS WERE USED, AND REPLACEMENT WAS INEXPENSIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10365635

Incident

Jul 1, 2004

Mileage

20,000 mi

ONE NIGHT MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING MY 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEATER COIL BURST WITHOUT WARNING, THE HEATER WAS NOT ON AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT. THE CAR FILLED WITH STEAM MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING, AND HOT SCALDING WATER AND ANTI-FREEZE POURED OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH BOARD RIGHT OVER THE GAS PEDDLE AND SCALDED MY RIGHT FOOT CAUSING SERIOUS BURNS AND LEAVING HORRIBLE SCARS. LUCKILY WE WERE TRAVELING ON A COUNTRY ROAD WITH LITTLE TO NO TRAFFIC. I AM RELIEVED THAT ME NOR MY FAMILY WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED OTHER THAN MY FOOT BEING BURNED. CAR DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MATTER THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10363732

Incident

Sep 6, 2010

I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT AT 11:00 PM WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS USING THE LUG WRENCH FURNISHED WITH THE CAR (I EVEN TRIED STANDING ON THE HINGED ARM OF THE LUG WRENCH) AND WAS SAVED BY A DRIVER OF A SUV WHO STOPPED TO HELP. THE LUG WRENCH HAD AN EFFECTIVE ARM LENGTH OF 9 INCHES AND A ARM DIAMETER OF ABOUT 3/4 INCH. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE LUG NUTS ARE TO BE TORQUED TO 100 FT-LBS. I THEN BOUGHT A TORQUE WRENCH WITH AN ARM LENGTH OF TWO FEET AND AN ARM DIAMETER OF 3 INCHES. CHECKING THE TORQUE REQUIRED TO BREAK THE LUG NUTS LOSE I GOT VALUES BETWEEN LESS THAN 100 FT-LBS UP TO 200 FT-LBS. THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FURNISH LUG WRENCHES THAT ORDINARY PEOPLE CAN USE TO REPLACE THE TIRES. FURTHERMORE, THEY WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO SPECIFY A MAXIMUM VALUE FOR TORQUING LUG NUTS IN ADDITION TO A MINIMUM VALUE BECAUSE A LARGE VARIATION IN TORQUE BETWEEN THE NUTS ON EACH WHEEL WARPS THE BRAKE DRUMS OR DISKS AND RESULTS IN SEVERE SURGING WHEN BRAKING (WHAT FUN I HAD WITH THIS CONDITION WHEN DROPPING DOWN OFF OF DONNER SUMMIT INTO SACRAMENTO - THE WHOLE CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES). I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS ALREADY AWARE OF THE LUG WRENCH PROBLEM (WHICH THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT) BUT NOT ABOUT THE UNEQUAL TORQUING PROBLEM (THEY POSTED A LIST OF MY TORQUE READINGS IN THE SHOP). I ALSO COMPLAINED TO CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10335565

Incident

Jul 21, 2004

Mileage

71,305 mi

1.BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT LENS/COVERS FELL OFF. ONE RECOVERED. ADHESIVE ATTACHING COVER TO HEADLIGHT WAS STILL ON COVER, HARDENED; NO ADHESIVE IS ON HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. NO SIGNS OF STRESS TO HEADLIGHT OR SURROUNDING BODYWORK. 2. DRIVING IN RAIN CAUSES ALL FOUR BULBS IN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO FAIL WITH RESULTING INSTANTANEOUS LOSS ON HEADLIGHT (HIGH AND LOW BEAMS) AND TURN AND POSITION LIGHTS. 3. BULBS REPLACED, RECOVERED COVER EPOXIED TO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH MISSING COVER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PARTS, EXCEPT FAILED BULBS,CURRENTLY INSTALLED IN OUT OF SERVICE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10261683

Incident

Mar 4, 2009

Mileage

85,000 mi

I HAVE A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE THAT I AM PUTTING THE 3RD ENGINE INTO THE CAR DUE TO A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. MY PARENTS HAVE THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE READ CLASSIFIEDS THAT CITIZENS WHO OWN THE SAME CAR ARE FORCED TO GIVE THE CAR AWAY BECAUSE OF THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. ANYONE WHO CAN SERVICE THIS CAR (INCLUDING A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP) HAS ADMITTED THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AND THAT THERE IS NO FINANCIALLY REASONABLE REPAIR, AND REPLACING THE ENGINE IS USUALLY THE ONLY RECOMMENDATION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CADILLAC RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM, AND MADE A CORRECTION TO THESE NORTH STAR ENGINES IN THE YEAR 2000. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A CADILLAC BLUNDER THAT IS PROVEN COSTLY, BUT THE COST IS ONLY BEING ABSORBED BY THE CUSTOMER. I AM ALL FOR BEING ACCOUNTABLE, BUT HAVING THE CHOICES OF PUTTING A 3RD ENGINE IN THE CAR OR JUNKING WOULD BE DEEMED AS EXTREME. WHY IS CADILLAC NOT RECALLING THIS PARTICULAR YEAR CARS ENGINE? I AM SURE THAT ANY RESEARCH THAT YOU CONDUCT WILL SHOW AN ABUNDANCE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT PROTECTION DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE IN THIS REGARDS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10252671

Incident

Dec 23, 2008

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE PLASTIC LENS OF THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS DEVELOPED A YELLOWISH TINT OVER TIME, WHICH REDUCES VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE LENS. IF THAT REMEDY FAILS, THE CONTACT WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS AT THE COST OF $300 EACH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ID

10239065

Incident

Jan 10, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi

COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE DETAILS: THE FAILURE OCCURS IN NORMAL USE. THE CONSEQUENCE IS POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS AND COMMON MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE. THE SITUATION, BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME ENGINEER IS THE SAME THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 99086: DATE: 12/01/1999 COMPONENT NAME: 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE NHTSA #: 99086 SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE COOLANT LEAKS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238669

Incident

Apr 30, 2008

Mileage

72,000 mi

THE FAILURE OCCURS IN NORMAL USE. THE CONSEQUENCE IS POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS AND COMMON MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE. THE SITUATION, BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME ENGINEER IS THE SAME THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 99086: DATE: 12/01/1999 COMPONENT NAME: 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE NHTSA #: 99086 SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE COOLANT LEAKS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10237986

Incident

Jul 20, 2008

Mileage

119,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE GEARSHIFT LEVER TO THE VEHICLE IS COMING LOOSE AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. IF THE PIN COMPLETELY DETACHES, IT WOULD CAUSE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER TO FALL OFF THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB

NHTSA ID

10236638

Incident

Jul 25, 2008

Mileage

76,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THERE WERE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. GM REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS CONTINUED TO DEPLOY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,040 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

NHTSA ID

10215359

Incident

Jan 17, 2008

Mileage

73,000 mi

1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS. NORTHSTAR 4.6L V8 I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION OF THIS VEHICLES ENGINE. ONLY TO RECEIVE THE BRUSH OFF FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT GM'S ALLOWABLE NORTHSTAR CONSUMPTION. THIS ENGINE IS CONSUMING 4 QTS PER MONTH ON AVERAGE AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN MY BOOK. WHAT DO I DO NOW ? NO MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY OR EXTENDED LEFT TO HELP AND ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS A LEMON FROM THE GET GO AND THAT GM KNOWS THESE ENGINES HAVE PROBLEMS. I'M TRYING TO BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS BUT WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS IT'S GETTING DIFFICULT TO DO THIS. HOPING I CAN GET SOME RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10207065

Incident

Oct 27, 2007

Mileage

80,000 mi

HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE FROM THE DEXCOOL COOLANT . AFTER WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED THEN THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, DAYS AFTER PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS WERE THE COOLANT LEAKED ONTO THE MANIFOLD, AND ENGINE RAN HOT. *AK

NHTSA ID

10190159

Incident

Jan 20, 2006

Mileage

94,000 mi