10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,882 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Cadillac DeVille electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Cadillac DeVille Owner Comments

problem #11

Nov 252021

DeVille

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

[  ] 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 ordered and there. It had been over 3 weeks now that had gone by since I first talked to the dealership and they ordered the parts I waS waiting for. Now the car has been there for over a 2 weeks and  not  even been touched.  I was finally told by the service department  to call customer service about the recall. I called the # i was give spoke to someone and explained everything. After I was told they didn't know why I called. The dealership should just handle the repair. I called service and

- Seatac, WA, USA

problem #10

May 282014

DeVille 8-cyl

  • miles
1997 Cadillac Deville. Consumer writes in regards to ignition recall repairs. The consumer stated there was a problem with the theft system. According to the invoice, the ignition lock cylinder was replaced.

- Waynesboro, VA, USA

problem #9

Oct 092014

DeVille 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 updated 10/1/15

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #8

Oct 272014

DeVille 8-cyl

  • 189,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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?

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #7

Jun 052011

DeVille

  • 71,704 miles
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.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #6

Mar 102009

DeVille

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Cadillac Deville. While driving less than 25 mph, the entire instrument cluster failed. The instrument panel was digital; therefore, the contact did not know how fast she was traveling, and could not read the fuel gauge, warning lights, and turn signals. The dealer stated that the cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were less than 90,000.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 192009

DeVille

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a 97 Cadillac Deville in January 07. From the start it had problems. It wouldn't crank right and had various electrical problems. Tried many different solutions but none worked. Car still would not crank right. In 08, I purchased a new starter and alternator. Nothing worked. After 9 months, the alternator went out. Had to get a replacement, plus pay again for the labor because the people who did the first time would not replace it because they were under new management. So I had another place put on the new alternator. I also had the same location replace my radiator that had cracked and had been leaking rapidly. Not even two months after getting all the new parts, on March 19 2009, I had been trying to crank the car. It would not crank. It suddenly popped and started smoking. It had done this before and crunk right up. So I go to crank the car up again, its started smoking even more and as soon as I opened the hood, it caught on fire. The fire department was not sure but mentioned it could have been the battery, the new work that I had gotten done or something electrical. When asked if it could be repaired, fire chief stated that they did not think it would be worth putting all the money into and stated that it was totaled. Had to wait to get the report so im unsure of what they say the cause was. Now I am out a vehicle because I did not have collision. I put alot into this car and think that all information should have been sent to old and new owners to alert them of any recalls, changes, and what ever else.

- Claremont , NC, USA

problem #4

Sep 012001

DeVille 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles
Consumer complained about problems with traction control, ABS and console message center, indicating a problem with steering. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who informed consumer that these problems were not covered under a recall, and any repairs would be charged to the consumer.

- Holt, MI, USA

problem #3

May 032004

DeVille 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer noticed a noise emanating from under the left floorboard. Overtime, the minor noise became a loud noise which had come from the traction control system. This problem would happen intermittently upon acceleration. The mechanic attempted to repair the problem for the past two years. The vehicle would also experience a complete lost of power assist braking, and at times, the vehicle would lose drive train power causing the vehicle to coast through an intersection. The consumer have experienced this problem on a daily basis. The dealership was aware of the problem because they had secured the plug wires for induced voltage on the speed sensor wiring harness, a year or so later, the dealership replaced the electronic brake and or the traction control module.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 181999

DeVille

  • miles
I have had recurring electrical problems since buying the car. The record at this same dealership shows that the previous owner began having multiple problems as well in 1998. 2001 was the first year an emissions test for the car was required to be licensed. It failed. The dealership could provide no explanation, but did fix numerous componets and it finally passed a manuel test. This year the exact same problem occurred. Again, the dealership has no explanation. The technician has 30 years of experience and said he called GM and the engineers could offer no explanation. There are 23 pages of recurring electrical problems ranging from inoperative seat heaters (repaired 3 times and don't work now), seat belt on drivers side does not latch, climate control, thermometer and temperature control panel...it goes on and on. I have the 23 page report that harmon's printed out themselves. Ryan, the technician in the service department agrees that the repairs are extensive and needs investigating. The service manager, scott johnson, refused to even make a single phone call to GM for any help at all. I offered an equitable trade solution and was completely and flatly rejected by the dealership before even speaking with GM. I called GM and they had misinformation as to my complaint about the car and the service manager at harmon's Cadillac. I am hopeful the case file has been corrected, but cannot trust this, given my experience so far. The case file number at GM customer service is C06598245. It should reflect numerous and recurring repairs beginning in August of 1998 to present. Next year I will have the exact same problem with the emissions as well. The dealership was very unhelpful and unconcerned with the report and problems I have had. Example...getting the car to pass emissions last year and this year alone has cost me 11 full days of no vehicle, 50 miles of travel to the dealership each trip, lost business. I am a real estate broker and need a car to work. Nlm

- Payson, UT, USA

problem #1

May 102000

DeVille

  • miles
Vehicle purchased 05/09/2000. On the way home, bucking occurred. 05/10/2000, car would not start. Towed to the dealership. New battery installed as well as spark plugs. Cadillac indicated that the car has possible chronic electrical repair problems previous replacement of radio receiver, hoses, battery, starter, modular computer & cable. This I did not know at time of purchase. Dealership working on problems. I had the car one day after purchase.

- Jamestown, PA, USA

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