VehicleVerdict

1999 Cadillac Deville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 239 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.1 times the median Deville year — the 1999 model ranks #5 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 29 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (54), airbags (53), and electrical system (24), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

239

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

29

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Deville years?

Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Deville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Cadillac Deville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5423%
Airbags5322%
Electrical System2410%
Brakes208%
Steering135%
Speed Control125%
Tires & Wheels115%
Suspension104%
Visibility & Wipers83%
Fuel System83%
Body & Structure63%
Lighting52%
Transmission52%
Other42%
Seat Belts31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1999 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE STARTING VEHICLE ENGINE BACKFIRED. THEN FIRE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE UNDER HOOD PADDING WAS COVERED WITH A FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. THIS CAUSED THE FIRE TO BURN THROUGH THE PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOOD.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

“YESTERDAY, NOV. 22, I HAD A FRONT END COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALLED. AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED AND INFLATED, BUT THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE CAR WAS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE SEDAN WITH 65,000 MILES ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 22, 2004 · crash

“WHILE STARTING VEHICLE ENGINE BACKFIRED. THEN FIRE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE UNDER HOOD PADDING WAS COVERED WITH A FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. THIS CAUSED THE FIRE TO BURN THROUGH THE PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOOD.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO CONTINUE FORWARD, AND REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICEMAN CAME, AND DROVE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR. AFTER REPAIRS, BRAKES FAILED AGAIN SEVERAL DAYS LATER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 12, 2005

1999 Cadillac Deville — common questions

Is the 1999 Cadillac Deville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 239 complaints put the 1999 model at #5 of 34 Deville years. It is one of the Deville years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Deville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (54 complaints), airbags (53 complaints), electrical system (24 complaints).

Does the 1999 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Cadillac Deville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Cadillac Deville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.