1998 Cadillac DEVILLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
173 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
74,211 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 69 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 173 complaints (16.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 16.2% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 4.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 28 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 28; Air Bags: 11; Air Bags:Side/Window: 10; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 104 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2001 | 34 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 29; 2001: 34; 2002: 20; 2003: 17; 2004: 22; 2005: 13; 2006: 11; 2007: 4; 2008: 6; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017513 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT FLICKERED ON/OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062164 · 2004-03-14 (March 14, 2004)
1998 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE WITH NORTHSTAR ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED DRIVE SHAFT SENSORS,CHECKED PLUGS & WIRES,CHANGED GAS FILTER,YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034259 · 2003-08-20 (August 20, 2003)
WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS, WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INOPERATIVE. THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040015 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER/STEERING, AND WOULD NOT RETURN WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED BACK TO FORWARD DRIVING POSITION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118604 · 2005-04-27 (April 27, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MOTOR OVERHEATED CAUSING A STALL..WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE HEAD BOLTS STRIP OUT OF ALL NORTHSTAR MOTORS..COST OF REPAIR IS APROX. $3000.00..CALLED GM ASSIST HOTLINE AND TOLD THEY WILL OFFER NO HELP
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016405 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
IN APRIL 2001, AT 37,000 MILES, AIR CONDITION/HEAT FAN MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) BY A DEALER. AGAIN IN APRIL, 2003, AT 53,300 MILES, LOCAL DEALER SAYS MOTOR IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO REPLACED AT COST OF $420. ATTITUDE OF DEALER AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT "STUFF HAPPENS". MY BELIEF IS THIS FAILURE RATE INDICATES PROBLEM WITH QUALITY OF FAN MOTOR OR PROBLEM WITH MOTOR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 53,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108720 · 2005-03-07 (March 7, 2005)
THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THIS DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE AUG. 2002 AND THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURES AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE KEEP RECURRING. *JB ANNTENA STUCK UP. POWER ANTENNA ASSEMBLY REPLACED. OIL LEVEL LOW AND OIL LIGHT IS ON. THERE WAS NO READING ON THE DIPSTICK. HAD TO ADD TWO QUARTS OF OIL AFTER DRIVING 1500 MILES. OIL LIFE INDICATOR WAS RESET. PISTON, ROD AND OIL RINGS REPLACED. DRIVERS SIDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114782 · 2005-03-26 (March 26, 2005)
BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED 4 TIMES SINCE NEW KEEP GETTING OUT OF ROUND AND NOW NEED REPLACED DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL MAINTENCE NOW BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AT TIMES WITH NO BRAKES AT ALL CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK TRANSMISSION HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR WHEN COLD WATER LEAK THAT CANNOT BE FOUND USES AT LEAST 1 GALLON PER WEEK OR MORE WHEELS KEEP LOSING AIR CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT NO LEAKS IN TIRES RETURNED TO DEALER MANY TIMES FOR REPAIR AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON -RETURNED TO DEALER AND NOT FIXED
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086409 · 2004-08-08 (August 8, 2004)
1.STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN 2. FOUND TO BE A FUEL RAIL LEAK BETWEEN THE NO.3 AND NO.5 INJECTOR. RAW FUEL LEAKING UP UNDER THE HOOD COULD BE IGNITED IF THERE IS AN IGNITION SOURCE. (SUCH AS A BACK FIRE, LEAKING SPARK PLUG WIRE) 3. REPLACE FUEL RAIL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147956 · 2006-01-17 (January 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HAVING THE FUEL INJECTOR REPAIRED, THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP PERSONNEL SAID THE FUEL RAIL WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FUEL INJECTOR. DUE TO THE FUEL RAIL BEING MADE OF PLASTIC, THERE WAS A CHANCE THE FUEL RAIL WOULD BREAK AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE SERVICEMAN THE FUEL RAIL WAS NOW BEING MADE OF METAL BECAUSE THE PLASTIC WAS TOO WEAK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 173,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147956 at NHTSA ↗