1999 Cadillac Deville Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Cadillac Deville, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine5123.1%
- Airbags4922.2%
- Brakes209.0%
- Electrical198.6%
- Steering135.9%
- Driver assistance125.4%
- Tires & wheels94.1%
- Suspension94.1%
- Fuel system83.6%
- Body & structure73.2%
- Visibility62.7%
- Transmission52.3%
- Seat belts41.8%
- Interior & seats41.8%
- Other / unspecified20.9%
- Exterior lighting20.9%
- Heating & air conditioning10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1999 Cadillac DeVille. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed of an oil leak. The contact stated that the water pump, thermostat, reserve tank, and the stretch were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was transferred to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 69,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THERE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL IN WHICH THE REMEDY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE WERE LEAVING MY SON'S APARTMENT WHEN WE HIT THE SPEED BUMP AT ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND BUSTED OUT OUR WIND SHIELD AND FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE. MY FIANC WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HAD HIS THUMB HURT. SEVERAL OF THE ELECTRICAL THINGS IN THE CAR DO NOT WORK NOW. *TR
I HAVE A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE, D'ELEGENCE V8 AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I'M ASKING TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN OR WILL BE A RECALL, I'M NOT SURE IF ITS A SENSOR PROBLEM.? *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING LIGHT CAME ON CAR FAILED TO STOP PULLED TOONE SIDE TOOK IT TO RINKLE CADILLAC WAS TOLD IT WAS ABS MODULE COVERED BY GM THEY HAD RECALL WENT BACK SEVERAL TIMES FINALLY THE Y TOLD THEY COULD NOT GET PART NOT TO DRIVE CAR IN WET WEATHER OR WINTER CAR IS OWN BY SENIOR LADY BOUGHT NEW ONLY 70000MILES KEPT IN GARAGE CAR IS LISTED FLEETWOOD LIMITED LIMITED AMOUNT MADE THIS IS MY SECOND TIME APPLYING NEVER GOT ANSWER YET MY HUSBAND WROTE IN FIRST TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED CODES FROM THE ON BOARD COMPUTER: PASS KEY OPEN/SHORTER PELLET, PASS KEY WRONG AND FUEL SENSOR FEEDBACK SHORTED HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND AN AUTO REPAIR CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT IS VERY HARD TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AFTER A STOP AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH MAKING A RIGHT TURN. *TR
I OWN 2 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE'S. ONE IN NY & ONE IN FL. BOTH VEHICLES HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED IN BOTH CARS BECAUSE OF A GRINDING AND DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS, AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED MY COST OF ABOUT $1000. FOR BOTH REPAIRS. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING LIGHT CAME ON CAR FAILED TO STOP PULLED TOONE SIDE TOOK IT TO RINKLE CADILLAC WAS TOLD IT WAS ABS MODULE COVERED BY GM THEY HAD RECALL WENT BACK SEVERAL TIMES FINALLY THE Y TOLD THEY COULD NOT GET PART NOT TO DRIVE CAR IN WET WEATHER OR WINTER CAR IS OWN BY SENIOR LADY BOUGHT NEW ONLY 70000MILES KEPT IN GARAGE CAR IS LISTED FLEETWOOD LIMITED LIMITED AMOUNT MADE THIS IS MY SECOND TIME APPLYING NEVER GOT ANSWER YET MY HUSBAND WROTE IN FIRST TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY BECAME STUCK. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS THE OWNER OF A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD BUBBLES. THE CONSUMER REPLACED ONE TIRE AT A TIME UNTIL ALL OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE BUBBLES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS PAST WEEKEND HE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BECAUSE OF A BUBBLE. THE CONSUMER EXCHANGED THE TIRE WITH THE CADILLAC DEALER, AND THEY INSTALLED THE SAME BRAND OF TIRE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED HOME HE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS 20,000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRES, BUT IF THE CONSUMER WANTED A DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES THERE WOULD NOT BE A WARRANTY FOR THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THESE THE TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS VOGUE, THE TIRE LINE IS P225/ 975. THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND TIRES BY MAIL. *AK (11/17/05) *SC
MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5 PASS BUTTONWILLOW WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE CAME APART. SOME OF THE TREAD REMAINED ON WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE TIRE DAMAGED THE QUARTER PANEL, REAR LOWER BUMPER AND THE REAR DOOR. THE RESULT WAS TIRE FAILURE, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROLMAN STOP TO GIVE ASSISTANCE BY CALLING AAA TO HAVE OUR CAR PIGGYBACKED TO A BIG-O DEALER TO REPLACE THE FAILED TIRE. I PURCHASED TWO NEW TIRES TO BE MOUNTED IN REAR OF THE CAR. I'VE KEPT THE OLD TIRE SO THAT I MAY SUBMIT A CLAIM TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. GIVING PROOF OF PRODUCT FAILURE AS WELL AS THE DAMAGE PRODUCED BY THE FAULTY TIRE. *AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35-40 MPH WHEN HE HEARD THE ANTI-LOCKS BRAKES EXHIBIT AN UNUSUALLY LOUD SQUEAKING AND HUMMING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE EIGHT MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HUB ASSEMBLY, WHICH HE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS IN NEED OF A SECOND REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,850 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY DRASTICALLY. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OVER 50 MPH. THE FRONT TIE ROD WAS REPLACED AND A SEMI-ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE AXLE HUB CARRIER REAR SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY AND THE COIL SPRING WAS ALSO DAMAGED. LATER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE AND, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIPERS WERE WIRED INCORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/24/08. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL WHICH WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL RAILS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #04V110000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 5/4/2006 - *NM
PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL THREE-FOURTHS IN, JUST COASTING FOOT NOT ON BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CONCRETE WALL AT THE END OF THE PARKING SPACE. THIS WAS UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CAR TOWED TO ANDERSON CADILLAC, UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY CHECKED CODES AND FOUND NOTHING. CAR SENT TO BODY SHOP. $3000 DAMAGE TO FRONT END. *JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CLEAR COAT PAINT IS PEALLING ON THE HOOD AND ROOF REALLY BAD.
1999 CADILLAC DE VILLE CONCOURS THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE BUMPER SHOCKS ARE LEAKING FLUID. CAR IS DEALER MAINTAINED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE MAKING A TURN, ANTI-FREEZE SPILLED ONTO THE CONTACT'S FOOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER CORE BURST DUE TO AN IMPROPER LOCATION AND INADEQUATE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED HER TO GET SKIN GRAFTS ON HER FOOT. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT PROVIDED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY DRASTICALLY. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OVER 50 MPH. THE FRONT TIE ROD WAS REPLACED AND A SEMI-ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE AXLE HUB CARRIER REAR SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY AND THE COIL SPRING WAS ALSO DAMAGED. LATER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE AND, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIPERS WERE WIRED INCORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/24/08. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DAY I BOUGHT MY CAR 10 MINUTES AFTER RECEIVING MY CAR THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ON IT 2 DAYS LATER COME TO FIND OUT ITS MY TRANSMISSION CODE P0741 TORCH CONVERTER STUCK OFF. THAT CAR SHOULDN'T OF PASSED INSPECTIONS WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON OR INTERNAL TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS. NOW IM STUCK WITH A CRAP CAR AND OUT $4,500.00 . I HAVE TRIED TO WORK THIS OUT WITH THE DEALER FOR 2 MONTHS. NOW I WOULDN'T TAKE MAKE CAR BACK TO HIM IF U PAID ME. HES A CROOK AND DOESNT PROPERLY REPAIR CARS. OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS I VE HAD TO REPLACE A EXHAUST A CV JOINT STABALIZER LINK TURN SIGNAL FLASHER . THE MAIN PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IM GONNA HAVE TO PAY FOR OUTTA MY POCKET CLOSE TO 2000.00. WHILE THE DEALER GETS AWAY WITH IT. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEAL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A COSCO MINI-HOUSE (NA) SAFETY SEAT, MODEL NUMBER: IC210CKB, MODEL TYPE: DISNEY LIGHT AND COMFY (NA). THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON APRIL 20, 2015. THE SAFETY SEAT WAS BEING UTILIZED IN A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HANDLES OF THE CHILD SEAT FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT STRAPS WERE LOOSE AND WEAK. THE CHILD WAS IN THE SAFETY SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.
UP TO THIS DAY IT HAS BEEN FINE, BUT NOW MY COSTCO SCENERA CAR SEAT WON'T UNLATCH THE BOTTOM BUCKLE. IT ACTS LIKE IT IS STUCK AND I CANNOT GET MY SON OUT WITHOUT HAVING TO PRY. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT AS I DON'T KNOW HOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASH LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON. ABS/CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, THERE ARE NOISES WHICH COME FROM BODY OF VEHICLE. INFORMATION SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK RIGHT FRONT HUB REPLACED. STRUT MOUNT REPLACED. *SLC
RECALL 00 V 217 000 REPAIRED ON 09-MAR-2001. WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE WITH ALLOY WHEELS. TWO OF THE FOUR WHEELS HAVE STRESS CRACKS IN THEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN ABUSIVELY AND THE TIRES AND WHEELS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY BALANCED AND ALIGNED. *TR I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS TYPE OF WHEEL(S) WILL ALSO GET STRESS FRACTURES AND THE WHEELS WILL FAIL WITH CATASTROPHIC RESULTS! I WILL KEEP THE WHEELS AND MAKE THEM AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION FOR 45 DAYS.
CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE , PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND JACKED VEHICLE UP WITH FACTORY EQUIPPED JACK . CONSUMER REACHED FOR WHEEL AND JACK BROKE INTO 2 PIECES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FALL STRAIGHT DOWN, TRAPPING CONSUMER'S ARM BETWEEN FENDER AND FLAT TIRE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*JB
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT LENSES BLEWOUT, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE LENS WAS LOOSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE OVERHEATED-LOOSE HEAD BOLTS (NHTSA ITEM # SB6089931). ANTIFREEZE VAPORS CAME IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH A/C VENTS FOR OVER 20 MINUTES AND THEN A LARGE STEAM EXPLOSION INSIDE CAR WHEN ENGINE OVERHEATED. A FINE MIST OF VAPORS ENTERED THE CAR WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE AS WE THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AS THE INSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE KEPT SLOWING RISING UNTIL STEAM EXPLOSION OCCURED. ( HOT ANTIFREEZE VAPORS WERE FORCED THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS BY THE DEFORMING OF THE REAR HOOD GASKET BY INCOMING 65MPH AIR FLOW AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT HOOD GASKET). IF THIS CAR HAD A FULL TIME COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE THIS INCIDENT AND INJURIES MIGHT NOT HAVE HAPPENED. CADILLAC DOES NOT PROVIDE AN ACTIVE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THIS CAR AS OTHER MANUFACTURERS DO. ONLY WAY TO DETERMINE COOLANT TEMPERATURES IS TO PUSH THE INFORMATION BUTTON ON DASH WHICH SEPARATELY INFORMS YOU OF ENGINE FUNCTIONS. NO WARNINGS IN OPERATION MANUAL, NO WARNING LABELS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS TO POTENTIAL DANGERS OF DEX-COOL EXPOSURE NOR INFORMATION ON THE DAY OF ENGINE FAILURE FROM CADILLAC ROAD ASSISTANCE PERSONNEL AT THEIR 800 NUMBER). ONLY WARNINGS OF ENGINE OVERHEATING ARE EMITTED -AFTER THE CAR HAS OVERHEATED! INJURIES TO MYSELF WERE: SEVERE, VERY PAINFUL EYE INFLAMATION IN BOTH EYES( EYE DOCTOR EXAMINATION IN OCTOBER 1999) INSTANT CATARACTS WITH LARGE BLACK SPOTS IN BOTH EYES 30 DAYS AFTER ACCIDENT. RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF FACE PRESENTLY HAVE CHEMICAL BURNS ON CHEEKS AND THROAT. IN APRIL, 2000 I HAD VERY DIFFICULT BREATHING PROBLEMS. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ON 2 DIFFERENT DAYS WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS. BREATHING PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED AS CHEMICAL INDUCED ASTHMA FROM DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE WITH 2-ETHYLHEXANOIC ACID INHALATION. AT PRESENT I LIVE IN HELL EACH DAY WITH ASTHMA FROM THIS CADILLAC VEHICLE. ENGINE WAS REBUILT IN SEPTEMBER, 99 AND A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED ON JAN. 28, 2000. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED UP IN FEBRUARY, 2000 AFTER 16 DAYS OF SITTING IDLE.*
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .