1997 Cadillac Deville

Above average

Owners filed 269 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

81 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 82,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip22
210
Exterior Lighting › Headlights19
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail15
000
Engine and Engine Cooling13
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline11
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine10
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor8
000
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery7
000
Electrical System7
021
Steering6
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings04V110000
Filed Mar 4, 2004483,477 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2004, FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WERE SENT LETTERS ON AUGUST 6, 2004. ADDITIONAL LETTERS TO OWNERS WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip97V064000
Filed Apr 28, 1997156,910 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Jan 15, 2022WA

[ ] I had purchased my car used. I found that there was a recall on this model. I went online and ran the vin # and confirmed that. I called the dealership and explained they looked it up and confirmed it needed to have the original plastic fuel rail replaced with a new stainless steel fuel rail. They informed me that they had to order the parts from Michigan an it would be 2 weeks for the parts to get here and then we could set up an appointment to bring the car in. over 2 weeks later they called and we set up the appointment I had started the car the morning of the appointment for it to go to the dealership. I needed to grab something from in the house so I turned it off to go back in my house. I was answering a text on my phone and as I looked up to get out of the car there were flames coming out from between the fender and the hood. I rushed to the front of the car to put the flames out.. I just got the car a d couldn't afford to let turn to the ground. I took off my hoodie and used it to UT out the flames while doing so the hood came down and hit me in the back of my head,I burned my left hand pretty badly and burnt off my arm hair. I have had a ringing in my ears since I was hit in the head. I called the dealer and told them what happened and I would have to get it towed in. They said okay it took three days to get a tow truck because we had a snow storm. The tow companies were booked. I got the car to the dealer and exspected them to start the job. The parts were order

Air Bags
Filed Mar 31, 2018VA

DOGGIE DIEOBLO

Traction Control System
Filed Jan 28, 201692,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 24, 2015VA

1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED.

Traction Control System
Filed May 11, 201555,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO ANTI LOCK BRAKING MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

EngineFire
Filed Feb 5, 201587,000 milesOH

AT ABOUT 12:30 - 1:00 AM IN THE MORNING THE CAR WAS PARKED AT MY HOME IN THE DRIVEWAY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE. [XXX] THE OWNER GETS UP TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT WHEN HE LOOKED OUTSIDE THE PATIO, HE SAW HIS CAR SMOLDERING AND THAN IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES AT THE ENGINE AREA. CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY AND IN THE MEANTIME TRIED TO SUPPRESS THE FIRE BUT NOT SUCCESSFUL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 2014OK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE AND SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES AND SIGNALS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND FAILED TO SHOW ANY INFORMATION. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ UPDATED 10/1/15 *JS

Air Bags
Filed Oct 28, 2014189,000 milesAR

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON MY WIFE'S ARM. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE DRIVING. WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR SAFETY SAKE? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 8, 2014138,000 milesNJ

I NOTICED THAT MY ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE BRAKES THE AND THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. THE ABS WAS ENGAGING ON DRY PAVEMENT. I CHECKED THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC TOOL ON THE CADILLAC AND I AM GETTING AN ERROR CODE OF TCS C1255 WHICH IS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE/ ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT PART THAT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V064000. I CALLED CADILLAC DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DOES NOT COME UP WITH ANY RECALLS AND THERE ARE NOT ANY RECALLS AT ALL FOR 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. I AM REQUESTING THAT MY VIN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKES AND THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. THANK YOU *TR UPDATED 3/13/15 *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2014112,000 milesSD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 35 MPH, THE ABS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND PROGRESSED TO PERMANENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 28, 2014113,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, GASOLINE FUEL FUMES EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE A HALF OF TANK OF GAS WAS IN THE TANK, WHEN THE TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE VEHICLE HAS GONE EMPTY ON FUEL ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114.000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 7, 201397,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 9, 201375,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE BRAKE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,244.

Tires
Filed Dec 6, 2012110,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE WITH UNIROYAL TIGERPAW TIRES, SIZE: 265/75/R16 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED FOR REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM HOSE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 110,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 30, 201265,000 milesNJ

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65-70 MPH WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE DUE TO TRAFFIC AND THERE WAS SEVERE BRAKE FADE. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BUT COULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR EVEN AFTER SEVERAL PUMPS. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I STILL HAD TO TRAVEL ANOTHER 30 MILES BEFORE REACHING MY DESTINATION AND THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE BRAKES WOULD ONLY SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAKE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ONLY HAS 65000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TO CONTACT A MECHANIC TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 6, 201265,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL PAN SEAL WAS LEAKING OIL. AS A RESULT, THE OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED EXTREME CONCERN OVER A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 04/18/12*BF UPDATED 04/23/12.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Feb 24, 2012FL

I OWN A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. MY AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GOING OFF ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES AND I WAS TOLD THE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS FOR THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TODAY 2/24/12 THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS I WAS ABOUT TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 94,000 MILES. I AM ALSO HAVING TROUBLES WITH HAVING TO PRESS MY BRAKES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR FOR THE CAR TO STOP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust SystemFire
Filed Jul 18, 2011138,000 milesMA

UPON STARTING THE CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED THROUGH THE INDUCTION SYSTEM STARTING AN ENGINE FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED IT HAD CAUSED ENOUGH DAMAGE THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE JUNKED. *KB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 5, 201171,704 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND PLACING THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,704.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 4, 2011100,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT FOLLOWED BY STALLING. THE A/C WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED FOLLOWING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20 of 269 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200595110Routine
2004167140Routine
2003145400Routine
2002176521Fatalities reported
2001175430Routine
2000225541Fatalities reported
1999187143Fatalities reported
1998237312Fatalities reported
1997 — this page269280Above average
1996218270Above average
1995129266Fatalities reported
1994127080Routine
1993921140Routine
19921351130Routine
199187190Routine
199076220Routine

Compare every Deville year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 4, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.