CADILLAC DEVILLE · model year

1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE

339 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997CADILLACDEVILLE carries 339 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 10 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 DEVILLE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 24 filings, followed by exterior lighting:headlights (20) and fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 1997 DEVILLE, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

339
Complaints
5
Crashes
10
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

339 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS20
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE15
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS8
STEERING7
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS6

Recent Complaints

20220115FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

[  ] I had purchased my car used. I found that there was a recall on this model. I went online and ran the vin # and confirmed that. I called the dealership and explained they looked it up and confirmed it needed to have the original plastic fuel rail replaced with a new stainless steel fuel rail. They informed me that they had to order the parts from Michigan an it would be 2 weeks for the parts to get here and then we could set up an appointment to bring the car in. over 2 weeks later they called and we set up the appointment I had started the car the morning of the appointment for it to go to the dealership. I  needed to grab something from in the house so I turned it off to go back in my house. I was answering a text on my phone and as I looked up to get out of the car there were flames coming out from between the fender and the hood. I rushed to the front of the car to put the flames out.. I just got the car a d couldn't afford to let turn to the ground. I took off my hoodie and

20220115FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

[  ] I had purchased my car used. I found that there was a recall on this model. I went online and ran the vin # and confirmed that. I called the dealership and explained they looked it up and confirmed it needed to have the original plastic fuel rail replaced with a new stainless steel fuel rail. They informed me that they had to order the parts from Michigan an it would be 2 weeks for the parts to get here and then we could set up an appointment to bring the car in. over 2 weeks later they called and we set up the appointment I had started the car the morning of the appointment for it to go to the dealership. I  needed to grab something from in the house so I turned it off to go back in my house. I was answering a text on my phone and as I looked up to get out of the car there were flames coming out from between the fender and the hood. I rushed to the front of the car to put the flames out.. I just got the car a d couldn't afford to let turn to the ground. I took off my hoodie and

20220115FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

[  ] I had purchased my car used. I found that there was a recall on this model. I went online and ran the vin # and confirmed that. I called the dealership and explained they looked it up and confirmed it needed to have the original plastic fuel rail replaced with a new stainless steel fuel rail. They informed me that they had to order the parts from Michigan an it would be 2 weeks for the parts to get here and then we could set up an appointment to bring the car in. over 2 weeks later they called and we set up the appointment I had started the car the morning of the appointment for it to go to the dealership. I  needed to grab something from in the house so I turned it off to go back in my house. I was answering a text on my phone and as I looked up to get out of the car there were flames coming out from between the fender and the hood. I rushed to the front of the car to put the flames out.. I just got the car a d couldn't afford to let turn to the ground. I took off my hoodie and

20180331AIR BAGS

DOGGIE DIEOBLO

20160128TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Mileage: 92,000

20160128EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Mileage: 92,000

20151124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED.

20150511TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO ANTI LOCK BRAKING MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

20150511SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO ANTI LOCK BRAKING MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

20150205FireENGINE

AT ABOUT 12:30 - 1:00 AM IN THE MORNING THE CAR WAS PARKED AT MY HOME IN THE DRIVEWAY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE. [XXX] THE OWNER GETS UP TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT WHEN HE LOOKED OUTSIDE THE PATIO, HE SAW HIS CAR SMOLDERING AND THAN IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES AT THE ENGINE AREA. CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY AND IN THE MEANTIME TRIED TO SUPPRESS THE FIRE BUT NOT SUCCESSFUL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 87,000

20141030SERVICE BRAKES

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 STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES AND SIGNALS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND FAILED TO SHOW ANY INFORMATION. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ UPDATED 10/1/15 *JS

20141030SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

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 STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES AND SIGNALS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND FAILED TO SHOW ANY INFORMATION. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ UPDATED 10/1/15 *JS

20141030ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES AND SIGNALS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND FAILED TO SHOW ANY INFORMATION. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ UPDATED 10/1/15 *JS

20141028AIR BAGS

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON MY WIFE'S ARM. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE DRIVING. WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR SAFETY SAKE? *TR

Mileage: 189,000

20141028ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON MY WIFE'S ARM. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE DRIVING. WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR SAFETY SAKE? *TR

Mileage: 189,000

20141028UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON MY WIFE'S ARM. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE DRIVING. WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR SAFETY SAKE? *TR

Mileage: 189,000

20140708SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE/ ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT PART THAT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V064000. I CALLED CADILLAC DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DOES NOT COME UP WITH ANY RECALLS AND THERE ARE NOT ANY RECALLS AT ALL FOR 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. I AM REQUESTING THAT MY VIN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKES AND THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. THANK YOU *TR UPDATED 3/13/15 *JS

Mileage: 138,000

20140708SERVICE BRAKES

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 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE/ ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT PART THAT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V064000. I CALLED CADILLAC DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DOES NOT COME UP WITH ANY RECALLS AND THERE ARE NOT ANY RECALLS AT ALL FOR 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. I AM REQUESTING THAT MY VIN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKES AND THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. THANK YOU *TR UPDATED 3/13/15 *JS

Mileage: 138,000

20140605SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 35 MPH, THE ABS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND PROGRESSED TO PERMANENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Mileage: 112,000

20140528FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, GASOLINE FUEL FUMES EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE A HALF OF TANK OF GAS WAS IN THE TANK, WHEN THE TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE VEHICLE HAS GONE EMPTY ON FUEL ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114.000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 113,000

Compare 1997CADILLACDEVILLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE have?
The 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE has 339 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 10 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE?
The most-complained component for the 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL.
Is the 1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.