MYRModel Year Report

1998 Cadillac Deville

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Cadillac Deville
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
237
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

19% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 19 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 88 complaints 1992: 135 complaints 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1995: 129 complaints 1996: 218 complaints 1997: 269 complaints 1998: 237 complaints 1998 237 1999: 187 complaints 2000: 225 complaints 2001: 175 complaints 2002: 176 complaints 2002 2003: 144 complaints 2004: 167 complaints 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 19 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 88 complaints 1991 1992: 135 complaints 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1995: 129 complaints 1995 1996: 218 complaints 1997: 269 complaints 1998: 237 complaints 1998 237 1999: 187 complaints 2000: 225 complaints 2001: 175 complaints 2001 2002: 176 complaints 2003: 144 complaints 2003 2004: 167 complaints 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 19 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1988 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 88 complaints 1991 1992: 135 complaints 1992 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1994 1995: 129 complaints 1995 1996: 218 complaints 1996 1997: 269 complaints 1997 1998: 237 complaints 1998 237 1999: 187 complaints 1999 2000: 225 complaints 2000 2001: 175 complaints 2001 2002: 176 complaints 2002 2003: 144 complaints 2003 2004: 167 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005

1998: 237 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19823
19835
19846
198519
198622
198741
198828
198949
199077
199188
1992135
199396
1994140
1995129
1996218
1997269
1998237
1999187
2000225
2001175
2002176
2003144
2004167
200595

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

19% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-22

Service brakes

17% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-15

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

Air bags

16% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The consumer was on the driveway of personal residence with all seat belts secured when both the driver/passenger side airbags deployed. There was a loud explosion.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-30

I was the driver and only person in an automobile accident on February 16, 1999 between my 1998 Cadillac Deville concours and a 1977 Dodge camper top van.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-03-10

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

10% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1997-11-01Vehicle speed control97V183000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1998-01-01Structure97V232000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood hinge pivot bolts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 237 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. I
    1999-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-02-15 Inadvertent deployment of side air bag
  5. I
    2000-02-15Engineering analysisClosed 2000-09-28 Inadvertent of side impact air bag
  6. R
    2001-06-01Air bags00V217000 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.…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Cadillac Deville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 40 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V183000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 97V232000 · Structure
  • Recall 00V217000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Cadillac Deville reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Cadillac Deville is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Cadillac Deville?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Cadillac Deville have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.