Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
[ ] I had purchased my car used. I found that there was a recall on this model. I went online and ran the vin # and confirmed that. I called the dealership and explained they looked it up and confirmed it needed to have the original plastic fuel rail replaced with a new stainless steel fuel rail. They informed me that they had to order the parts from Michigan an it would be 2 weeks for the parts to get here and then we could set up an appointment to bring the car in. over 2 weeks later they called and we set up the appointment I had started the car the morning of the appointment for it to go to the dealership. I needed to grab something from in the house so I turned it off to go back in my house. I was answering a text on my phone and as I looked up to get out of the car there were flames coming out from between the fender and the hood. …
I purchased a 97 Cadillac Deville in January 07. From the start it had problems. It wouldn't crank right and had various electrical problems. Tried many different solutions but none worked. Car still would not crank right. In 08, I purchased a new starter and alternator. Nothing worked. After 9 months, the alternator went out. Had to get a replacement, plus pay again for the labor because the people who did the first time would not replace it because they were under new management. So I had another place put on the new alternator. I also had the same location replace my radiator that had cracked and had been leaking rapidly. Not even two months after getting all the new parts, on March 19 2009, I had been trying to crank the car. It would not crank. It suddenly popped and started smoking. It had done this before and crunk right up. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Cadillac Deville. While driving less than 25 MPH, the entire instrument cluster failed. The instrument panel was digital; therefore, the contact did not know how fast she was traveling, and could not read the fuel gauge, warning lights, and turn signals. The dealer stated that the cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were less than 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Cadillac Deville. While driving approximately 25 MPH the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after turning the key in the ignition and placing the gear shift in neutral. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 71,704.
Consumer complained about problems with traction control, ABS and console message center, indicating a problem with steering. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who informed consumer that these problems were not covered under a recall, and any repairs would be charged to the consumer.
I backed out of my driveway and proceeded down the highway and the passenger side airbag exploded on my wife's arm. I am afraid that it will happen on the drivers side while driving. What should I do for safety sake?
1997 Cadillac Deville. Consumer writes in regards to ignition recall repairs. The consumer stated there was a problem with the theft system. According to the invoice, the ignition lock cylinder was replaced.
The consumer noticed a noise emanating from under the left floorboard. Overtime, the minor noise became a loud noise which had come from the traction control system. This problem would happen intermittently upon acceleration. The mechanic attempted to repair the problem for the past two years. The vehicle would also experience a complete lost of power assist braking, and at times, the vehicle would lose drive train power causing the vehicle to coast through an intersection. The consumer have experienced this problem on a daily basis. The dealership was aware of the problem because they had secured the plug wires for induced voltage on the speed sensor wiring harness, a year or so later, the dealership replaced the electronic brake and or the traction control module.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH attempting to engage the brakes, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact mentioned that the anti-lock brake, traction control, brake and security light illuminated when the failure occurred. Also, the contact stated that all the gauges and signals on the instrument panel failed and failed to show any information. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the brake fluid was leaking when attempting to move the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 12/01/14 updated 10/1/15
I was smelling fumes in the interior of the car. My fule line was leaking fule onto the engine manafold. I had to replace one of the fule lines to stop it. After the repair, it started again, but from a diffrent line. The shop contacted the Cadillac dealership who told him that there was a recall for the 1995 Deville's "fule rail line" to replace the plastic parts with metal parts. I need to know if this is a problem and recall for the 1997 model as well. I have the deeligance model.
Electrical complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Cadillac Deville, 10% of the model year's 269 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Cadillac Deville electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1997 Cadillac Deville, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Cadillac Deville electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.