1998 Cadillac Deville: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 237 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 237 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2018
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 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”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2014
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2011
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2011
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2011
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSES AND LIMOUSINES. THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES WAS MISROUTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE HARNESS, CORRECT AS NECESSARY, AND INSTALL A PLASTIC TIE STRAP TO THE HARNESS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD HINGE PIVOT BOLTS.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Deville by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Cadillac Deville reliable?
NHTSA has 237 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Cadillac Deville. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Cadillac Deville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Cadillac Deville have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.