8.2

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,366 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Cadillac DeVille:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #20

Mar 262004

(reported on)

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,315 miles
While driving headlight lenses fell off on two separate occasions. Head light assembly was replaced.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #19

Aug 232002

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The lens on the headlight lamps are losing the glue, causing the headlight lens to fall out of place. The consumer contacted the dealer, and they were not willing to do anything. The consumer states that on the right headlight holding the 11 by 7 inch lens failed causing the lens to come off while driving at 60 mph.

- Tipp City, OH, USA

problem #18

Aug 232002

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The headlight lens has clouded, reducing the light beam affecting night time driving. This is not a surface problem, because it cannot be cleared. The defect is a material problem caused by the sunlight. This problem has existed for about 8 months now making the lens appear opaque even in the day light. Cadillac refuses responsibility and says the vehicle is out of warranty.

- Long Boat Key, FL, USA

problem #17

Apr 172002

DeVille

  • miles
While driving about 65 mph on the open road a headlight lens came loose, and bounced off the passenger side windshield. We didn't know what it was until we stopped and examined the auto. There was a slight dent in the post between the windshield and the passenger side window. The left headlight lens ws examined and found to be loose. On the return trip the left headlight lens came off. Fi may have gone under the car as I recall a slight noise while driving. The parts man at the dealer made the comment that this usually doesn't happen to Cadillac and when it does they ususlly just drop off. The lenses are secured to the headlight with glue. Apparently this is common on other autos. The repair entailed repalcing both headlight at a total cost of about $610 problem. In my opinion this is poor engineerring.

- Penn Valley, CA, USA

problem #16

Mar 011999

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving headlight lens fell off. Took to dealer. Problem was not remedied.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #15

Mar 272002

DeVille

  • miles
While driving glass lens on headlights on both sides fell off without any warning.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #14

Oct 102001

DeVille

  • miles
Two front lenses that cover headlights fell out while consumer was driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer could not find the cause of the problem.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #13

Dec 012001

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling at highway speeds driver's side and passenger's side headlight lenses blewout. There are no headlights in the vehicle at this time. Dealer has been contacted. *akconsumer had both the lenses fixed. Per phone conversation with Cadillac, Cadillac agreed to pay 75% of cost. Consumer believes this to be a defect Cadillac should investigate. Consumer is awaiting reimbursement.(possible new address: Sharon badgley 33248 sand dune lane, leesburg, fl 34788 352-314-2444)

- Greenwhich, NY, USA

problem #12

Dec 012001

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Drivers side headlight cover fell off, passenger side is loose and possibly leaks water in to the electrical sockets.

- Lacrosse, WI, USA

problem #11

Nov 202001

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver's side headlight cover fell off. Dealer replaced cover. Checked passenger's side and noticed it was loose. Consumer states that this could cause light failure or a fire.

- Lacrosse, WI, USA

problem #10

Apr 252001

DeVille

  • miles
Headlamp lens separated from housing due to adhesive failure, exposing reflector and lamp to moisture and potential failure. Service manager informed that this is common problem. Component available for inspection.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #9

Jul 072001

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Head light lens have falled off headlights. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that parts were only sold as a whole unit, not just lens cover. Asking NHTSA to assist in this matter. Consumer states that the plastic civer has fallen off while driving, replacement is costly because consumer has to purchase the whole head light assembly instead of just the failed part.

- Menasha, WI, USA

problem #8

Mar 112001

DeVille

  • miles
Both headlight covers fell off while driving in cold, rainy conditions. Thankfully, my used car dealer handled the problem under warranty, but it appears there is a defect in the construction of the headlight units.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #7

Apr 162001

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling at approximately 65 mph in high wind when cover for right front headlamp fell off. Then, it started raining which caused headlamp bulb to go out. Consumer was stopped by state police who informed him that headlight was out. Headlight assembly was replaced and the same day while driving the left plastic cover blew off.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #6

Apr 102001

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Cover for left headlamp fell off vehicle on April 10th, 2001, and cover for right headlamp fell off on April 12th, 2001 while the vehicle was traveling at approximately 65 mph. Consumer was informed that condensation in head lamp assembly caused covers to disconnect.

- Harvey, IL, USA

problem #5

Feb 022001

DeVille

  • miles
My 1997 Cadillac Deville was one month out of warranty when the right headlight cover fell off whil my wife was on the highway. Upon further inspection, I found that the left headlight cover was about to fall off as the adhesive had failed that holds the lens to the headlight body. No replacement covers are available. The only "fix" is to replace the entire headlight assembly at a cost of $689.75 for the two headlight assemblies. Cadillac has reuected this as a manufacturing defect or as a safety issue. I feel it is both and that this vintage of Cadillac Deville's should be investigated for what I am finding out is a somewhat common problem. While my wife was in the service waiting area to have these headlights replaced one of the customers also stated that she was in for the same problem and another said that he had recently had one of his replaced in both instances this was done under warranty. Also, if this were not a common problem why would a small town dealership stock such an expensive part and not have to order it from the factory" further, unpon inquiry by a friend of mine of a West palm beach Cadillac dealer's service rep, the service rep made the statement that "this happens all the time and we usually cover it under the normal warranty or a special warranty that we can utilize." I feel that this is a safety issue and not just a problem of getting satisfaction from Cadillac. The safety issue is that when the headlight cover is gone or fails to be watertight, moisture can reach the halogen bulb within the sealed unit and the least amount of moisture causes the bulb to fail. Needless to say, you are then unexpectedly without lights if both units fail and if only one fails you are still without proper lighting for nighttime driving. Can you inquire of Cadillac as to the frequency of this headlight lens failure and ask them why they have not establised a recall program if this failure is as frequent as I am hearing"

- Yalaha, FL, USA

problem #4

Feb 242001

DeVille

  • miles
Headligt lens comes unglued from headlight flies off; also causes headlight failure; talked with service rep at dealership and he stated that it is a common defect.

- Pleasant Plain, OH, USA

problem #3

Apr 011999

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Headlights had to be replaced because lense was separating, consumer felt it was coming from a heat buildup, consumer also owned a 1995 same make/model that experienced the same problem.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #2

May 202000

DeVille

  • miles
Headlight cover blew off while driving, no previous damage to vehicle prior to this incident.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #1

Feb 161998

DeVille

  • miles
Left front headlamp assembly replaced due to an improperly sealed headlamp causing leakage and moisture.

- Havelock, NC, USA