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 1998 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Both headlight lens came off. Was told by dealer the lens could not be replaced by itself so had to purchase and install 2 sealed headlight units. Cost of over $600. Dealer picked up half the cost. Car had only 40,000 miles. I called Cadillac customer service and all they said they could do was to contact the dealer which I had already worked with. Dealer feels there should be a recall on the headlights because 'we replace a lot of these on '97 & 98' devilles, grand am's, and other similar products. These are sealed units just like any other sealed unit that should be covered under warranty (original or extended). It's considered trim which is not right. What makes a sealed headlamp any less important than any other sealed unit on the car? Certainly its location should not. It's just plain a defect in manufacturing and Cadillac should face it and make it right.
The air conditioning was too cold on passsenger side - closed vents - when comfortable they were opened only to find that there was now hot air coming out. The next series of events took place in a very short amount of time. The control for the headlights was dimming to off then going on, the air conditioning stopped working, the instrument panel digital display went out leaving no indication as to speed. The passenger noticed a glow in the door panel, this glow was a fire. I pulled on to the shoulder and we got out. I called *11 indiana toll road for assistance and the fire was extingusted in a matter of minutes. The car is now at the dealer in oak lawn il. And general motors is investgating the incident.
1.both front headlight lens/covers fell off. One recovered. Adhesive attaching cover to headlight was still on cover, hardened; no adhesive is on headlight assembly. No signs of stress to headlight or surrounding bodywork. 2. Driving in rain causes all four bulbs in headlight assembly to fail with resulting instantaneous loss on headlight (high and low beams) and turn and position lights. 3. Bulbs replaced, recovered cover epoxied to headlight assembly, headlight assembly with missing cover needs to be replaced. Parts, except failed bulbs,currently installed in out of service car.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Cadillac Deville. The plastic lens of the exterior headlamps developed a yellowish tint over time, which reduces visibility while driving. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that they would attempt to clean the lens. If that remedy fails, the contact will have to replace the exterior headlamps at the cost of $300 each. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 66,000.
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.
Tl* - the contact has a 1998 Cadillac Deville with an odometer reading of 133000 miles and both headlight units are cloudy. The contact said that the visibility is very poor an there is no way to clean them to improve visibility. When making a left turn it becomes difficult to see. The contact took the car to the dealer (caramgo Cadillac) and he was told that both head light units need to be replaced.
Noticed that one passenger side headlight was out, but I still had the high beam. A few days later both were out. Went to auto parts store to have them put in new bulbs and they noticed the that plastic cover was missing and they said that caused the bulbs to short out. From reading other complaints I'm afraid I will have to pay hundreds for a new assembly when all I need is a plastic cover.
Both lenses have detached from the headlights. As a result, the headlights blew out. The right headlight lens had fallen out onto the highway. The rain struck the unprotected headlight and caused it to burn out. The left lens was also loose but did not fall out. The dealer stated this was a common problem.
Headlight complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Cadillac Deville, 19% of the model year's 237 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Cadillac Deville headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.