Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
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. …
Brake rotors have been turned 4 times since new keep getting out of round and now need replaced dealer states this is normal maintence now brake pedal goes to floor at times with no brakes at all cannot find problem. Transmission hesitates going into gear when cold water leak that cannot be found uses at least 1 gallon per week or more wheels keep losing air causing tires to go flat no leaks in tires returned to dealer many times for repair air bag service lights keep coming on -returned to dealer and not fixed
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.
Dealer has replaced and turned brake rotors numerous times I have replaced rotors and calipers and pads with all new parts also and brakes on front do not release completely all the time and keep warping rotors and wearing out brake pads this has been done many times since being bought in 2000. Tire rims also leak air and tires keep going low this was serviced by dealer and myself not cure has been found yet.
Brake line ruptured due to it chafing against the frame, this caused vehicle to crash into another vehicle, an independent inspector verified that the steel braided brake lines were rubbing on the frame and wore through causing breake fluid loss, there were no injuries in accident.
The major problem has been a severe vibration of the front wheels when the brakes are applied. The problem gets much worst when going down hills. It has progressivly gotten bad. The dealer said the rotors need to b e turned and turned the front rotors. This only lasted for about 4000 miles and the problem returned. This time the dealer said it was the rear rotors and turned the rear rotors. The problem returned again after 4000 miles. The dealer now claimed they would replace the pads with a special replacement pad. The service manager said he would order new pads and call me when they came in. Well, the dealer went out of bussiness. I reported the problem to another dealer(cole in warren, ohio). This dealer refused to do warrenty work and said I had exhausted the 18,000 miles. I had called the Cadillac 800 number and requested to speak to a supervisor. …
Brakes squeal upon application - service did not detect; brakes squeal upon application - installed updated pads on frt per bulletin 83-50-25; brakes squeal a 3rd time - longer time to stop; leaking oil - service - take out engine manifold; leaking oil again - service - hole forconvertor snout drilled too close to rear main journal; leaking oil - service replace rack and pinion; leaking oil - service - car was kept for several days did not detect leak. Leaking oil; rear window switch on left front door inopt - service - replace door windoe left front. Replace master control switch; express window down does work properly - service - did not detect; windshield washer inopt. - service -reconnect loose hose; windshield washer inopt reinstall nozzles; windshield washer inopt. - service -glued fittings together. Customer spoke with service manager several times. …
1. Gear shift had too much play when going from park to drive (dealer-no problem found) 2. Rear rotors replaced because dealer found them warped at 2221 miles 3. Running rough and rotten smell (dealer found no problem) 4. Wipers went out on 2/26/99, dealer had to order part so drove til 3/2/99 without wipers. Upon returning to dealer entire dashboard had gone out. They kept the car until 3/5, again went to dealer on 3/26 for wipers not working, still had to order more parts, returned on 4/6 to get replaced again. So I was from 2/26/99 to 4/6/99 without windshield wipers. 5. Complained of noise when turning right, they found no problem, I also complained of rough ride, they replace bushings and lubed bar - felt better for a day, but rough ride returned after that. I feel they have had my car more than I have. I currently have 5225 miles on a 13 month old Cadillac, thus is outragious. …
Brake complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Cadillac Deville, 15% of the model year's 237 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Cadillac Deville brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Cadillac Deville, though it has 3 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 1998 Cadillac Deville brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to brakes 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.