10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 73,607 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.
The contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Deville. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact heard a popping sound coming from the engine as steam accumulated on the windshield. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the head bolts had become loose from the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 10/21/11 updated 3/16/12
- Streator, IL, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Deville with a V8, 4.6 liter North star aluminum engine. He stated that after driving the vehicle for 5 minutes, the vehicle would overheat. This was a frequent failure occurring in the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by his independent mechanic and found that the fly-wheel failed and the right cylinder was missing the soft plug behind the water pump. The vehicle was also found to be leaking anti-freeze into the engine cylinders and through the tail pipe. The transmission was dropped in order to replace the fly-wheel and the freeze plug was also replaced by an independent transmission station. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him to replace the engine at his own expense. No additional repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 148,987 and the current was approximately 149,000. The VIN was not accepted.
- Aiden, MI, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the engine misfired, which caused an engine compartment fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and repaired at an expense of $4500. One year after the repair the failure recurred. He contacted the dealer again, but was advised that because the warranty expired they would not provide any assistance. He then added that they were aware that North star engines are prone to back-firing. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 52,000, the current mileage was 70,000. Updated 10/20/09 the consumer also stated the head gasket failed as well. Updated 10/22/09
- Riverside, CA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Deville. While driving between 60-70 mph, the vehicle would shimmy drastically. The independent mechanic advised the contact not to drive the vehicle over 50 mph. The front tie rod was replaced and a semi-alignment was performed. The axle hub carrier rear suspension was faulty and the coil spring was also damaged. Later, the windshield wipers would not operate and, upon further investigation, it was discovered that the wipers were wired incorrectly. While driving less than 50 mph, the check oil warning light illuminated because there was no oil in the vehicle. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 132,000. Updated 10/14/08 updated 10/24/08.
- Dodgeville, WI, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Cadillac Deville. While driving 65 mph, the engine warning light illuminated, which indicated that the engine overheated. The dealer stated that the water pump caused the failure. The dealer repaired the water pump; however, the failure continued to occur. The contact felt that the engine was defective. As of October 26, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 78,800 and current mileage was 79,000. Updated 01/02/08 the consumer stated the engine heats up due to the head bolts loosening and the engine coolant evaporates into the cylinder heads. Updated
- Raleigh, NC, USA
My 1999 Cadillac Deville has stalled out 3 times in the last 6 months. All 3 of the engine stalls have occurred on the highway as I have reduced speed in preparation to enter a lower speed limit zone or in preparation to stop at an intersection. The loss of power during these stalls makes breaking and turning extremely difficult. In addition, I'm forced to come to a stop in the middle of the road in order to restart the engine. This is a very dangerous situation.
- Rincon, GA, USA
Consumer's engine over heats and consumes oil excessively. *** nar received 9-29-05*** the technician diagnosed the problem as possible head gasket or head bolt failure.
- Huntsville, AL, USA
The vehicle will shut down after the oil light comes on. The consumer was driving around 55 mph. This happened twice while he was slowing down. The consumer was able to get the vehicle to start back. This occurred three times today 8-4-05. The oil was not low at the five times this has occurred. The first two times it occurred consumer did not take it to the dealership. The consumer has currently made an appointment to take it to the dealership. The consumer was concerned because he had a Cadillac before that had this same problem. There are no other known problems with the vehicle at this time.
- Dorcester, MA, USA
Consumer complained about intermittent stalling problems when slowing down to a stop or applying the accelerator pedal from a stop position. Vehicle has been to the dealer on three separate occasions, and dealer replaced several parts, and the problem recurred. The vehcile stalled again last week (5-5-05).
- Venice, FL, USA
While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Dealer was unable to resolve the problem.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Intermittently while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled. The dealer could not duplicate or correct the problem. The vehicle had stopped 4 times in the last 1600 miles. Engine would shut down and not restart.
- Taberg, NY, USA
The vehicle consumed 3/4 quart of oil a week. The dealer was unable to locate the cause of the problem.
- Finleyville, PA, USA
The vehicle stalled without warning.
- Westville, IN, USA
While traveling on the highway the vehicle stalls shut down without prior warning. The vehicle will restart the dealership is aware of the problem.
- Salinas, CA, USA
Engine overheated-loose head bolts (NHTSA item # SB6089931). Antifreeze vapors came in passenger compartment through A/C vents for over 20 minutes and then a large steam explosion inside car when engine overheated. A fine mist of vapors entered the car without our knowledge as we thought something was wrong with the air conditioner as the inside air temperature kept slowing rising until steam explosion occured. ( hot antifreeze vapors were forced through the air conditioner vents by the deforming of the rear hood gasket by incoming 65mph air flow and a defective front hood gasket). If this car had a full time coolant temperature gauge this incident and injuries might not have happened. Cadillac does not provide an active temperature gauge on this car as other manufacturers do. Only way to determine coolant temperatures is to push the information button on dash which separately informs you of engine functions. No warnings in operation manual, no warning labels in engine compartment as to potential dangers of dex-cool exposure nor information on the day of engine failure from Cadillac road assistance personnel at their 800 number). Only warnings of engine overheating are emitted -after the car has overheated! injuries to myself were: Severe, very painful eye inflamation in both eyes( eye doctor examination in October 1999) instant cataracts with large black spots in both eyes 30 days after accident. Right and left sides of face presently have chemical burns on cheeks and throat. In April, 2000 I had very difficult breathing problems. I went to the hospital emergency on 2 different days with breathing problems. Breathing problems were diagnosed as chemical induced asthma from dex-cool antifreeze with 2-ethylhexanoic acid inhalation. At present I live in hell each day with asthma from this Cadillac vehicle. Engine was rebuilt in September, 99 and a new engine installed on Jan. 28, 2000. Front brake rotors rusted up in February, 2000 after 16 days of sitting idle.*
- Bolingbrook, IL, USA
Engine overheated-loose head bolts (NHTSA item # SB6089931). Antifreeze vapors came in passenger compartment through A/C vents for over 20 minutes and then a large steam explosion inside car when engine overheated. A fine mist of vapors entered the car without our knowledge as we thought something was wrong with the air conditioner as the inside air temperature kept slowing rising until steam explosion occured. ( hot antifreeze vapors were forced through the air conditioner vents by the deforming of the rear hood gasket by incoming 65mph air flow and a defective front hood gasket). If this car had a full time coolant temperature gauge this incident and injuries might not have happened. Cadillac does not provide an active temperature gauge on this car as other manufacturers do. Only way to determine coolant temperatures is to push the information button on dash which separately informs you of engine functions. No warnings in operation manual, no warning labels in engine compartment as to potential dangers of dex-cool exposure nor information on the day of engine failure from Cadillac road assistance personnel at their 800 number). Only warnings of engine overheating are emitted -after the car has overheated! injuries to myself were: Severe, very painful eye inflamation in both eyes( eye doctor examination in October 1999) instant cataracts with large black spots in both eyes 30 days after accident. Right and left sides of face presently have chemical burns on cheeks and throat. In April, 2000 I had very difficult breathing problems. I went to the hospital emergency on 2 different days with breathing problems. Breathing problems were diagnosed as chemical induced asthma from dex-cool antifreeze with 2-ethylhexanoic acid inhalation. At present I live in hell each day with asthma from this Cadillac vehicle. Engine was rebuilt in September, 99 and a new engine installed on Jan. 28, 2000. Front brake rotors rusted up in February, 2000 after 16 days of sitting idle.*
- Bolingbrook, IL, USA
- Streator, IL, USA