Headlight lens falls off.

- Arbuckle, CA, USA

Driver side headlight cover fell off because it was loose. Consumer didn't know when the headlights fell off. The driver's side cover was dry and brittle.

- Peoria, IL, USA

Two days before christmas of 2003 I noticed the clear plastic outside shield to my driver's side headlight assembly was missing, it just fell off. Now this cover is part of a sealed headlight assembly to protect the light bulbs from the weather elements so that they will not burn out. This part is suppose to be permanently glue together but apparently it wasn't, so I checked the other side and it was loose and it fell off in my hand. I drove to my local Cadillac dealer to ask them about this problem and to see if they had new shields. The parts manager proceeded to tell me that the headlight assembly is one piece and he told me that they keep them in stock because they have problems with them all the time. The cost of these headlight assemblies are $250 a piece for a part that should last a life time unless damaged in an accident. I asked him if there was some kind of recall and he said no. My concern about this whole thing is when the weather elements hit my headlight bulb it blew it out. If I wouldn't have notice my other cover was loose I would have lost all lighting and may have been involved in a major accident. I went to an auto wrecker and bought a used headlight assembly for $160 and I have the other cover bungee strapped on. I contacted GM by E-mail several weeks ago about this problem and they never responded to my E-mail and I know they got it. I think they are trying to blow me off so that nothing comes of this, so I hope someone will review this problem and help me and others who have had this problem but never said anything about it. Thank you for your help cliff dilling ddtaservicesinc@epohi.com

- East Palestine, OH, USA

Left lens fell off of vehicle. While in motion, the right head light lens had fallen off. On another occasion, the left lens had fallen off as well. The dealer stated there was a problem with the glue not holding the lenses.

- Long Beach, NY, USA

While driving, the right headlight lens fell off. About a week later, the left headlight lens off. The dealer stated the glue had deteriorated due to age.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

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.

- E. Tifton, GA, USA

The head light lens fell off unknowingly, which resulted in the bulb blowing out. The head light lens was replaced at no cost to the consumer.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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' Deville, 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.

- Roseburg, OR, USA

My headlight lens blew off the car and hit the winsheild. Since it was raining and snowing this caused my headlight to go out. I stopped to see what happened and saw the lens was not attached to the asm. In checking the other headlight I found it to was ready to come off. The other head light was very loose. The dealer had stated this was a problem on 1998 Cadillac but state it was not covered under warrenty. Called the 800 # and was told the same thing. In checking I found many complaints and one stated the position Cadillac is taking is that the lens is a trim item. If this was fact then the lens should be sold as a seperate trim item. The fact is it can not and is sold as a assembly which cost $245 each. This is a serious safry hazard for the driver and anyone who could be hit by the lens. I feel this scam should be investigated and would like an explanation as to why this was not a recall item with so many saftey compaints. I also found this has been a problem since 1998 -1999.

- Youngstown, OH, USA