Most common 1998 Cadillac Deville problems
Share of the 237 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac Deville complaints by model year
Best Deville years: 2005, 2003, 2004. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998, 1996, 2000. Compare all years →
1998 Cadillac Deville recalls (3)
Air bags › Side/window
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. These side air bags deploy with less force than a frontal air bag and are designed to minimize the risk of serious injury.
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 the side impact…
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
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 of FMVSS no.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood hinge pivot bolts.
Vehicle speed control
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1998 Cadillac Deville:
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Inadvertent deployment of side air bag
This side impact air bag can inadvertently deploy due to a number of root caused including: erroneous acceleration inputs or false activation of the air bag deployment algorithm due to an electrical malfunction in the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm); false activation resulting from an electrical short in the sdm wiring harness; and false acceleration inputs resulting from improper sdm installation.in each case,…
Inadvertent of side impact air bag
There is no summary currently available
What 1998 Cadillac Deville owners say
Lights all 45 →
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. 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. …
I am very concerned about the headlights going out on my 1998 cadellac develle. The passenger side lens blew off the car and went flying. The headlight went out. I stoped to see what had happen - saw no lens on the one side. Checked the other side and the lens was ready to fall off. I had not lights on one side and if I had not wired the other lens in place it would have blew off and I would have had no headlights. Contaced the dealer and was told they are aware of this problem but suggested I contact the 800#. They refused to do anything about the problem stating it was out of warrenty. Researching the problem I am finding their has been several complants having the same problem. I beleive an investigation is in order. This is very unsafe for the drive and a projectile could do a great deal of harm to a person being struck but the flying lens. …
Brakes all 36 →
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. Also, the transmission no longer engages 1st gear. (a supposed saftey measure)which in most cases, only puts my family's safety at risk. I do not understand how or if, GM can legally put profits before safety.
Takata recall. Air bag light is on a few days ago. Also, vehicle overheated and needed new water pump several years ago. Keep having to replace the battery. Smoke was coming up from front and turn signals did not work. Had to replace fall 2016 horn did not work, had to replace part inside steering wheel. Jan 2017
Air bags all 34 →
Dt: the contact stated on 10-17-05 was driving when she heard a noise that sounded like a something scraped the bottom of the car. Immediately the driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed. There were two people in the front seat of the car. No one was seriously injured. The dealer said there had been a problem in the past, but not the front. He also, said the sensors were probably bad. She did not recall an air bag light illuminating in the car prior to this incident.
Takata recall. Air bag light is on a few days ago. Also, vehicle overheated and needed new water pump several years ago. Keep having to replace the battery. Smoke was coming up from front and turn signals did not work. Had to replace fall 2016 horn did not work, had to replace part inside steering wheel. Jan 2017
1998 Cadillac Deville engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Cadillac Deville a good car?
Based on 237 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Deville rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Deville at the same age. It is one of the Deville years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Cadillac Deville?
The lights — 45 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the brakes (36) and air bags (34).
How many recalls does the 1998 Cadillac Deville have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 Cadillac Deville, the most recent from August 11, 2000 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac Deville?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2003 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1998, 1996 and 2000. See the full Cadillac Deville years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Cadillac Deville problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.