VehicleVerdict

1998 Cadillac Deville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 310 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.3 times the median Deville year — the 1998 model ranks #3 of 34 Deville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 22 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (46), brakes (41), and airbags (39), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

310

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

22

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Deville years?

Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted339 complaints1964: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 2 complaints1976: 4 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 4 complaints1979: 1 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 12 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 27 complaints1987: 52 complaints1988: 41 complaints1989: 66 complaints1990: 111 complaints1991: 105 complaints1992: 183 complaints1993: 123 complaints1994: 185 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 281 complaints1997: 339 complaints1998: 310 complaints1999: 239 complaints2000: 312 complaints2001: 239 complaints2002: 237 complaints2003: 208 complaints2004: 211 complaints2005: 132 complaints
Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Deville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Cadillac Deville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting4615%
Brakes4113%
Airbags3913%
Engine3411%
Electrical System3311%
Visibility & Wipers186%
Fuel System165%
Steering165%
Suspension145%
Speed Control114%
Other103%
Tires & Wheels93%
Transmission83%
Body & Structure52%
Seats41%
Seat Belts31%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1998 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V217000AirbagsAugust 11, 2000 · 215,293 units

Defect

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

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.

97V232000Body & StructureDecember 18, 1997 · 14,423 units

Defect

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

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.

97V183000Speed ControlOctober 27, 1997 · 8,611 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS TOO COLD ON PASSSENGER SIDE - CLOSED VENTS - WHEN COMFORTABLE THEY WERE OPENED ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE WAS NOW HOT AIR COMING OUT. THE NEXT SERIES OF EVENTS TOOK PLACE IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTROL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WAS DIMMING TO OFF THEN GOING ON, THE AIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 19, 2001 · fire

“BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO IT CHAFING AGAINST THE FRAME, THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR VERIFIED THAT THE STEEL BRAIDED BRAKE LINES WERE RUBBING ON THE FRAME AND WORE THROUGH CAUSING BREAKE FLUID LOSS, THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN ACCIDENT. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 15, 1999 · crash

“AT A VEHICLE CRASH SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER WAS NOT IN MOTION AT TIME OF ACCIDENT, ANOTHER MOTORIST CRASHED INTO CONSUMERS VEHICLE, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 1, 2002 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 8, 2012 · crash

“DRIVING AND THE STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO BOUNCE SLIGHTLY. CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND BOUNCING HAD GOTTEN WORSE AND EVENTUALLY CASED ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD WHEN SWITCHING LANES THE BACK END OF MY CAR SPUN AROUND. THANK GOD THEIR WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 23, 2007 · crash

1998 Cadillac Deville — common questions

Is the 1998 Cadillac Deville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 310 complaints put the 1998 model at #3 of 34 Deville years. It is one of the Deville years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Deville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (46 complaints), brakes (41 complaints), airbags (39 complaints).

Does the 1998 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Cadillac Deville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Cadillac Deville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac Deville years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Deville years to avoid are 1997, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003, 1995, 1994, 1992, 2005, 1993, 1990, 1991. The cleanest record among Deville years belongs to 1972.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.