Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
The consumer experienced a problem with the headlight lenses. The lenses kept falling out of position. The owner stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH the lens fell out of position on to the road. The owner contacted the dealer, who suggested that the entire fixture be replaced. The dealer will not sell the lens by itself. The right headlight lenses fell out. The weather was warm and or clear.
The consumer noticed the head light had burned out, and water was inside the head light lens and it was loose and about to fall out. The consumer check the other head light lens and it too was loose and about to fall out. The consumer replaced the head light and placed duct tape on the lenses to keep them from falling out, the dealer was aware of the problem.
While driving about 65 MPH on the open road a headlight lens came loose, and bounced off the passenger side windshield. We didn't know what it was until we stopped and examined the auto. There was a slight dent in the post between the windshield and the passenger side window. The left headlight lens ws examined and found to be loose. On the return trip the left headlight lens came off. Fi May have gone under the car as I recall a slight noise while driving. The parts man at the dealer made the comment that this usually doesn't happen to cadillacs and when it does they ususlly just drop off. The lenses are secured to the headlight with glue. Apparently this is common on other autos. The repair entailed repalcing both headlight at a total cost of about $610 problem. In my opinion this is poor engineerring.
While traveling at highway speeds driver's side and passenger's side headlight lenses blewout. There are no headlights in the vehicle at this time. Dealer has been contacted. *akconsumer had both the lenses fixed. Per phone conversation with Cadillac, Cadillac agreed to pay 75% of cost. Consumer believes this to be a defect Cadillac should investigate. Consumer is awaiting reimbursement.(possible new address: sharon badgley 33248 sand dune lane, leesburg, fl 34788 [phone])
Head light lens have falled off headlights. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that parts were only sold as a whole unit, not just lens cover. Asking NHTSA to assist in this matter. Consumer states that the plastic civer has fallen off while driving, replacement is costly because consumer has to purchase the whole head light assembly instead of just the failed part.
The headlight lens has clouded, reducing the light beam affecting night time driving. This is not a surface problem, because it cannot be cleared. The defect is a material problem caused by the sunlight. This problem has existed for about 8 months now making the lens appear opaque even in the day light. Cadillac refuses responsibility and says the vehicle is out of warranty.
Consumer was traveling at approximately 65 MPH in high wind when cover for right front headlamp fell off. Then, it started raining which caused headlamp bulb to go out. Consumer was stopped by state police who informed him that headlight was out. Headlight assembly was replaced and the same day while driving the left plastic cover blew off.
The lens on the headlight lamps are losing the glue, causing the headlight lens to fall out of place. The consumer contacted the dealer, and they were not willing to do anything. The consumer states that on the right headlight holding the 11 by 7 inch lens failed causing the lens to come off while driving at 60 MPH.
Cover for left headlamp fell off vehicle on April 10th, 2001, and cover for right headlamp fell off on April 12th, 2001 while the vehicle was traveling at approximately 65 MPH. Consumer was informed that condensation in head lamp assembly caused covers to disconnect.
The left headlight clear lens-cover came loose, the consumer believed that this component could be resealed, the dealer informed the consumer that it could not be resealed but a new lamp assembly had to be installed, insurance agent leonard dunlop wrote in for consumer. Nlm
NHTSA investigations
Erratic turn signal operation
Headlight complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1997 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the lights of the 1997 Cadillac Deville, 12% of the model year's 269 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Cadillac Deville headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles.
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.