1998 Cadillac DeVille: common problems and reliability
266 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about exterior lighting. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 1998 DeVille?The 1998 Cadillac DeVille has 266 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are exterior lighting and service brakes.
Safety record for the 1998 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Cadillac DeVille vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1998 a good year for the DeVille?
Across the 10 DeVille model years we track, complaint volume runs from 104 (2005) to 306 (1997). With 266 complaints, the 1998 DeVille sits above the model's median of 201.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1998 DeVille
air bags:side/window
Campaign 00V217000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR MODULES HAVE QUALITY PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. THESE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH LESS FORCE THAN A FRONTAL AIR BAG AND ARE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.
vehicle speed control
Campaign 97V183000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSES AND LIMOUSINES. THE CANISTER PURGE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES WAS MISROUTED.
structure:body:hood:hinge and attachments
Campaign 97V232000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH HOOD HINGE PIVOT BOLTS WHICH CAN BREAK DUE TO AN IMPROPER HEAT TREAT CONDITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 219, "WINDSHIELD ZONE INTRUSION." A BROKEN BOLT CAN CAUSE EITHER THE CORNER OF THE HOOD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD TO RAISE, OR ONE SIDE OF THE HOOD TO BE UNSTABLE WHEN OPENED.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is bifurcated by generation.
Owner insights cover all generations of the DeVille. See the full DeVille owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used DeVille listings typically run $6,444–$10,120 across 1983 to 2005 model years.
Other DeVille model years
Compare every DeVille year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.
Compare the DeVille against its rivals
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