FaultScore

Cadillac Deville headlight problems

147 of the 3,660 complaints filed about the Cadillac Deville are about the lighting — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.

147

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

Lights complaints by model year

1974 Deville 1 0.7%
1982 Deville 1 0.7%
1991 Deville 1 0.7%
1992 Deville 4 2.7%
1993 Deville 1 0.7%
1994 Deville 9 6.1%
1995 Deville 12 8.2%
1996 Deville 14 9.5%
1997 Deville 32 21.8%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

1998 Deville 46 31.3%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

1999 Deville 5 3.4%
2000 Deville 4 2.7%
2001 Deville 6 4.1%

Median failure at 138,000 miles

2002 Deville 4 2.7%

Median failure at 100 miles

2003 Deville 1 0.7%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2004 Deville 2 1.4%

Median failure at 28,741 miles

2005 Deville 4 2.7%

Median failure at 23,000 miles

What owners said

2001 Cadillac Deville Guymon, OK

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN PARK. *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED, FOR NO REASON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE, THE BELT TENSIONER AND CRANK AND OIL SENSORS.

NHTSA complaint #10638947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Cadillac Deville at 138,000 miles Georgiana, AL

INTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE NO LIGHTS INSIDE, NO BACKUP LIGHTS, IT IS MISFIRING, IT CUTS OFF AS I AM DRIVING,SEAT BELT WILL NOT LUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10598168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Cadillac Deville at 138,000 miles Georgiana, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE NO LIGHTS INSIDE, NO BACKUP LIGHTS, IT IS MISFIRING, IT CUTS OFF AS I AM DRIVING,SEAT BELT WILL NOT LUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10598168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 93,259 miles Chandler, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10462802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 100,520 miles Oceanside, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10373815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 20,000 miles Lake Worth, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLAMP LENSES CLOUD REDUCING NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER AND FOR OTHER VEHICLES. POLYCARBONATE LENSES DISCOLOR AND TURN YELLOW. PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE ACROSS MOST MAKES AND MODELS. REPLACEMENT LENSES ARE VERY COSTLY. THE PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST WHEN GLASS HEADLAMPS WERE USED, AND REPLACEMENT WAS INEXPENSIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10365635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 85,000 miles Carlsbad, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1.BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT LENS/COVERS FELL OFF. ONE RECOVERED. ADHESIVE ATTACHING COVER TO HEADLIGHT WAS STILL ON COVER, HARDENED; NO ADHESIVE IS ON HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. NO SIGNS OF STRESS TO HEADLIGHT OR SURROUNDING BODYWORK. 2. DRIVING IN RAIN CAUSES ALL FOUR BULBS IN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO FAIL WITH RESULTING INSTANTANEOUS LOSS ON HEADLIGHT (HIGH AND LOW BEAMS) AND TURN AND POSITION LIGHTS. 3. BULBS REPLACED, RECOVERED COVER EPOXIED TO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH MISSING COVER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PARTS, EXCEPT FAILED BULBS,CURRENTLY INSTALLED IN OUT OF SERVICE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10261683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Cadillac Deville at 75,000 miles Salem, NH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DEAR SIR: I'D LIKE TO STATE THAT I'VE BEEN A LOYAL CADILLAC OWNER FOR MANY YEARS. AFTER SPEAKING TO CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TODAY REGARDING AN ISSUE THAT I HAVE WITH MY 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. IT HAS BECOME APPARENTLY CLEAR THAT CADILLAC LIKES SELLING HIGH PRICED LUXURY VEHICLES BUT HAS NO INTENTIONS ON STANDING BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THAT THEY SELL. LET ME ASK YOU THIS? HOW DOES CADILLAC ALLOW A DEFECTIVE SAFETY PART BASICALLY TO BECOME UNAVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS? I'M REFERRING TO THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON CADILLAC DEVILLE MODEL YEAR 2003. HERE IN NH IT'S A MOVING VIOLATION SUBJECT TO NH LAW SAF-C 3215.04 TO DRIVE SUCH VEHICLE KNOWING THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION. CADILLAC'S REMEDY WAS TO ORDER THE PART (WHICH I DID THROUGH AUTHORIZED DEALER IN MANCHESTER NH) AND WAIT UNTIL IT COMES IN AND IN THE MEANTIME DRIVE THE VEHICLE KNOWING THAT I'M IN VIOLATION OF NH STATE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAWS. HOW MANY VIOLATIONS OR ACCIDENTS COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN BECAUSE OF MY FAULTY EQUIPMENT DURING A SIX MONTH TIME PERIOD. DO YOU KNOW? I CERTAINLY DON'T. HOWEVER, I DO KNOW THAT I WILL PERSONALLY HOLD GENERAL MOTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LEGAL ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST ME IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. AND FURTHERMORE, JUST THE FACT THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS ALLOWED A SAFETY PART TO BECOME UNAVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS ON VEHICLES BUILT OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD SUGGESTS TO ME THAT THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD REQUIRE GENERAL MOTORS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL THAT WILL BE MY NEXT STEP IN WHICH I INTEND ON PURSUING. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE. I FIND YOU VEHICLES APPEALING AND COMFORTABLE BUT YOUR LOYALTY AND ACCOMMODATIONS TO YOUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS IS APPALLING.

NHTSA complaint #10246312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 65,000 miles Belmont, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE PLASTIC LENS OF THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS DEVELOPED A YELLOWISH TINT OVER TIME, WHICH REDUCES VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE LENS. IF THAT REMEDY FAILS, THE CONTACT WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS AT THE COST OF $300 EACH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA complaint #10239065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Cadillac Deville Spring Hill, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FOR YEARS I HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF REAR ILLUMINATION OF GM VEHICLES DURING RAIN OR FOG DRIVING CONDITIONS. DRIVERS SEEM TO THINK THAT THEY DO NOT NEED TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THEY PROBABLY DO NOT REALIZE THAT THE DRL'S ONLY ILLUMINATE THE FRONT OF THEIR VEHICLE. GM SHOULD INFORM DRIVERS THAT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE REQUIRED, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT SUFFICE.

NHTSA complaint #10236424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Cadillac Deville at 8,000 miles Harriman, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER TESTED THE COMPUTER THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME, THEY CLEANED THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY AND REPLACED IT THE THIRD TIME. THE FOURTH TIME, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE FIFTH TIME, THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURE. THE SIXTH AND FINAL TIME, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE DEALER NOT TO TAKE ANY ACTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 03-11-08 *BF UPDATED 03/11/08

NHTSA complaint #10219192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Cadillac Deville at 52,466 miles Marino Valley, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE TURN SIGNALS ON THE VEHICLE DO NOT WORK AND THE FUSES ARE REPEATEDLY BLOWING. THE FUSES LAST FOR ONE OR TWO MONTHS AND THEN HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,466

NHTSA complaint #10206558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 133,000 miles Mainvill, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 133000 MILES AND BOTH HEADLIGHT UNITS ARE CLOUDY. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE VISIBILITY IS VERY POOR AN THERE IS NO WAY TO CLEAN THEM TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER (CARAMGO CADILLAC) AND HE WAS TOLD THAT BOTH HEAD LIGHT UNITS NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10178432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 88,610 miles Arbuckle, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHT LENS FALLS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10173894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 88,610 miles Arbuckle, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

HEADLIGHT LENS FALLS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10173894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 157,000 miles University Park, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S OIL AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKED CAUSING THE INTAKE AND OUTTAKE OF THE ENGINE TO RUST, IN TURN CAUSING THE PIPE TO BUST AND THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. UPDATED 12.8/2006 - 4.6 LITER NORTHSTAR ENGINE. THE L/F WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. THE BRAKES PULSATED. THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HEADLIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10172586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 68,000 miles Lillington, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE HEADLIGHT COVER FELL OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10171326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Cadillac Deville at 30,000 miles Dunedin, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENS BECAME FADED AND CLOUDY DUE TO SUN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS LESS VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 3/28/2006 -

NHTSA complaint #10152550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Cadillac Deville at 23,000 miles Chicago, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT APPLIED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS. WHEN DISENGAGING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. HE TESTED THIS SEVERAL TIMES, AND EACH TIME THAT HE ENGAGED THE TURN SIGNALS THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS NOT IN USE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK 12/27/05.

NHTSA complaint #10144121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Cadillac Deville at 23,000 miles Chicago, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT APPLIED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS. WHEN DISENGAGING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. HE TESTED THIS SEVERAL TIMES, AND EACH TIME THAT HE ENGAGED THE TURN SIGNALS THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS NOT IN USE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK 12/27/05.

NHTSA complaint #10144121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Cadillac Deville problems