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1997 Cadillac DevilleProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 269 owner complaints about the 1997 Cadillac Deville, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

39
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Deville median · #2 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints26917 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Cadillac Deville has problems

269 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic554
Engine and engine cooling472
Fuel system, gasoline341
Exterior lighting290
Electrical system283
Steering220
Power train111
Equipment100
Suspension100
16 other systems606

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1997 Cadillac Deville recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 04V-110 · Mar 4, 2004 · 483,477 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 97V-064 · Apr 28, 1997 · 156,910 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Deville year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Deville median. How we score

'71'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Cadillac Deville safety ratings

1997 Cadillac Deville 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Cadillac Deville frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
1997 Cadillac Deville side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Cadillac Deville, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INADVERTENT OF SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGEA00004 · closed Sep 28, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-217
  2. FUEL RAIL LEAKSEA04003 · closed Apr 23, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-110
  3. FUEL RAIL LEAKAGEPE03050 · closed Feb 3, 2004
    No recall
  4. ERRATIC TURN SIGNAL OPERATIONPE98005 · closed Aug 27, 1998
    No recall
  5. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURERQ03001 · closed Sep 15, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Deville owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* 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…
Complaint 10651429 · Oct 30, 2014
I NOTICED THAT MY ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE BRAKES THE AND THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. THE ABS WAS ENGAGING ON DRY PAVEMENT. I CHECKED THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC TOOL ON THE CADILLAC AND I AM GETTING AN ERROR CODE OF TCS C1255 WHICH IS A FAULTY…
Complaint 10608992 · Jul 8, 2014 · 138,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THERE WAS A LOW POWER RESPONSE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS ALSO A DECREASE IN THE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE, WHICH INCREASED THE STOPPING DISTANCE.…
Complaint 10258201 · Feb 10, 2009 · 157,800 miles

Own a 1997 Deville?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.