Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Customer was driving vehicle down road, all of a sudden coming up to a stoplight car suddenly died, at the same time white smoke came billowing out the back of the car, it caused a traffic hazard in which nobody could see her car, she was rearended, as well as the guy that rearended her. The occupant of the vehicle that rearended her ended up getting his nose broken when he hit his steering wheel. Vehicle taken to dealership and was determined that the rear head bolts had pulled from the block causing the head to separate from the block of the vehicle, quoted $4500 to repair and was told they could not warranty repair because it is a northstar engine. Vehicle then brought to me to get it repaired.
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 have a 1998 Cadillac Deville that I am putting the 3rd engine into the car due to a head gasket problem. My parents have the same car with the same problem. I have read classifieds that citizens who own the same car are forced to give the car away because of this head gasket problem. Anyone who can service this car (including a Cadillac dealership) has admitted that it is a very common problem with this car, and that there is no financially reasonable repair, and replacing the engine is usually the only recommendation. My understanding is that Cadillac recognized this problem, and made a correction to these north star engines in the year 2000. This is obviously a Cadillac blunder that is proven costly, but the cost is only being absorbed by the customer. I am all for being accountable, but having the choices of putting a 3rd engine in the car or junking would be deemed as extreme. …
1998 Cadillac Deville concours. Northstar 4.6l v8 I have made numerous complaints about the oil consumption of this vehicles engine. Only to receive the brush off from the dealership about GM's allowable northstar consumption. This engine is consuming 4 qts per month on average and is not acceptable in my book. What do I do now ? No manufacturers warranty or extended left to help and only 80,000 miles on this vehicle. I definitely believe that this vehicle was a lemon from the get go and that GM knows these engines have problems. I'm trying to buy American made products but with problems like this it's getting difficult to do this. Hoping I can get some resolution to this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would stall due to the engine overheating. The failure would occur whenever the vehicle was in operation for a few minutes. During the failures, the engine overheat light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the freeze plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was informed that the head gaskets were warped. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 111,000.
Component: engine and engine cooling:engine details: the failure occurs in normal use. The consequence is possible engine damage. The dealer has refused to repair this obvious and common manufacturing flaw in the northstar engine. The situation, because this is the same engineer is the same that is described in NHTSA recall number 99086: date: 12/01/1999 component name: 061000 engine and engine cooling:engine NHTSA #: 99086 summary: some vehicles May exhibit a condition in which the cylinder head bolts May become loose and cause coolant leaks and possible engine damage.
The failure occurs in normal use. The consequence is possible engine damage. The dealer has refused to repair this obvious and common manufacturing flaw in the northstar engine. The situation, because this is the same engineer is the same that is described in NHTSA recall number 99086: date: 12/01/1999 component name: 061000 engine and engine cooling:engine NHTSA #: 99086 summary: some vehicles May exhibit a condition in which the cylinder head bolts May become loose and cause coolant leaks and possible engine damage.
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.
Having major problems with vehicle from the dexcool coolant . After water pump was replaced then the radiator had to be replaced, days after problem with head gaskets were the coolant leaked onto the manifold, and engine ran hot.
1998 Cadillac sedan Deville with northstar engine stalls without warning and loss of power steering and brakes. Mechanic has changed drive shaft sensors,checked plugs & wires,changed gas filter,yet the problem persists.
Engine complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Cadillac Deville, 14% of the model year's 237 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Cadillac Deville engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.