FaultScore

1998 Cadillac Deville electrical problems

25 of the 310 complaints about the 1998 Cadillac Deville are about the electrical system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 53,300 miles.

B

25

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 7 28.0%
12V/24V/48V Battery 4 16.0%
Interior/Under Dash 4 16.0%
Horn 2 8.0%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 2 8.0%
Ignition 1 4.0%
Wiring 1 4.0%
Module 1 4.0%
Switch 1 4.0%
Starter Assembly 1 4.0%

Electrical System across every Cadillac Deville year

1991 11 2.3%
1992 18 3.8%
1993 12 2.6%
1994 17 3.6%
1995 21 4.5%
1996 18 3.8%
1997 32 6.8%
1998 25 5.3%
1999 23 4.9%
2000 61 13.0%
2001 46 9.8%
2002 45 9.6%
2003 54 11.5%
2004 51 10.9%
2005 36 7.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 47,000 miles Coloumbia, MD 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND VEHICLE LOST ABOUT 7 QUARTS OF OIL. THIS GOT ALL OVER THE MOTOR, MUFFLER, AND THE ROAD. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL, BUT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT WAS THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE WHOLE ENGINE WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. FOR NEW ENGINE AND CLEAN UP IT WOULD COST $8,400.00 .

NHTSA complaint #10122024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Mchenry, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 HEADLIGHT COVER FELL OFF WITH BULB BURNT OUT. HEADLAMP HOUSING ASSEMBLY REPLACED. CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. BATTERY REPLACED. CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING. DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT/SWITCH INOPERATIVE. WHILE GIVING GAS HESITATES; STRUGGLES UP A HILL. SPARK PLUG WIRE REPLACED. NOTIFICATION BY POSTCARD. ORDERED PARTS. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WON'T GO UP. REPLACED LEFT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH. SES LIGHT ON. EXHAUST RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR) REPLACED. TRANSMISSION MAKES A GRINDING NOISE ON FAST ACCELERATION. DEALER FOUND THE EXHAUST PIPE AT THE REAR OF THE CONVERTER SHIFTING A CROSS BRACE WHEN ACCELERATING. REARVIEW MIRROR BROKE OFF BASE.

NHTSA complaint #10108720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Mcdonough, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN 2001, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS ON MY 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE FELL OFF. THE DEALER, HERITAGE CADILLAC, REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST, SINCE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON 11/6/04, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. I HAVE NOT YET DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10098543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,121 miles Cincinnati, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ACCORDING TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER-THE IGNITION HAS A THEFT DETERENT SYSTEM THAT HAS A WIRE THAT OFTEN COMES LOOSE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTARTABLE AND THUS LEAVES THE DRIVER STRANDED. THE SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME THAT HE HAS DONE SEVERAL OF THESE AND DOESNT KNOW WHY THERE IS NO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10078303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,121 miles Cincinnati, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

ACCORDING TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER-THE IGNITION HAS A THEFT DETERENT SYSTEM THAT HAS A WIRE THAT OFTEN COMES LOOSE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTARTABLE AND THUS LEAVES THE DRIVER STRANDED. THE SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME THAT HE HAS DONE SEVERAL OF THESE AND DOESNT KNOW WHY THERE IS NO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10078303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Turner, ME

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT FLICKERED ON/OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10017513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,300 miles Clarkrange, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10016405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

THE VOLTS WENT TO 11.1 AND THEN THE CAR FAILED TO RUN. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS FRIED. REPLACED ALTERNATOR. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL CHECKED OUT OK.

NHTSA complaint #764706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

AFTER REPAIRS THE PREVIOUS DAY, ALTERNATOR AGAIN FRIED. THE DEALERSHIP NOW BLAMES AFTER MARKET BATTERY. SUPPOSED DEAD CELL. THIS INSTANCE ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK ON THE INTERSTATE. STRANDED FOR 3 HOURS. NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. CAR WAS DEAD WHEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER FINALLY ARRIVING AT END DESTINATION, I HAD THE BATTERY THE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD CHECKED AND IT CHECKED OUT OK.

NHTSA complaint #764707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santee, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING AND TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE, DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS BATTERY LEAKING ACID, WHICH CORRODED THE POSITIVE CABLE, DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, CLEANED ACID FROM TRAY AND REPLACED POSITIVE CABLE.

NHTSA complaint #564254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santee, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING AND TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE, DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS BATTERY LEAKING ACID, WHICH CORRODED THE POSITIVE CABLE, DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, CLEANED ACID FROM TRAY AND REPLACED POSITIVE CABLE.

NHTSA complaint #564254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor Mills, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

I WAS INFORMED THAT MY SPARK PLUGS WIRES WERE BURNING WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. AND THE WIRES IN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE ARE IN A VERY BAD WAY. I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT A SPARK COULD IGNITE FROM THE ENGINE AT ANY TIME, AND CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #747897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Lawn, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

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 CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIGITAL DISPLAY WENT OUT LEAVING NO INDICATION AS TO SPEED. THE PASSENGER NOTICED A GLOW IN THE DOOR PANEL, THIS GLOW WAS A FIRE. I PULLED ON TO THE SHOULDER AND WE GOT OUT. I CALLED *11 INDIANA TOLL ROAD FOR ASSISTANCE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUSTED IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALER IN OAK LAWN IL. AND GENERAL MOTORS IS INVESTGATING THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #746283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owosso, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE QUIT IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #875660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lyles, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRVING VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. ALSO, THE DASH COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS NEED REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA complaint #858775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reseda, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING BLOWN FUSES. YH

NHTSA complaint #608656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springvalley, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ELECTRICAL WIRES KEEP KILLING THE BATTERY. WOULD CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DIE OUT EACH & EVERY TIME. MAKES NOISES WHEN BATTERY IS DYING. TOOK TO DEALER & PROBLEM NOT FOUND. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #832729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escondido, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

FUEL LIGHT INOPERABLE, COMPUTER PART REPLACED TO RECTIFY. YH

NHTSA complaint #607203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm City, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONING ACTIVATES BRAKE AND FUEL LEVEL ALERTS. YH

NHTSA complaint #608884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reseda, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING BLOWN FUSES. YH

NHTSA complaint #608656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reseda, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY IS DEAD. YH

NHTSA complaint #608656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Marcos, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

FAILED TO START.

NHTSA complaint #609163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palos Verd, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #607489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

WHEN DEPRESSING THE HORN PAD NO SOUND COMES FROM THE HORN. ON 4 DIFFERENT OCASSIONS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE HORN WILL BLOW SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT.

NHTSA complaint #827494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

HORN FAILED ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #541441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Cadillac Deville problems

← Full 1998 Cadillac Deville report