1999 Cadillac Deville Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year mostly describe two patterns in the sampled complaints: the 4.6L Northstar V8 running hot or losing coolant, and the air bags, especially side air bags, not deploying in a collision. Reports of engine stall while slowing down, ABS and brake trouble, and steering noise also appear. Many complaints were filed between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, though overheating and coolant reports extend well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant loss (head gasket / head bolts)

   • 19 complaints (10%)
   • median 84,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2022

   Owners describe the temperature gauge climbing or a warning light coming on while driving, often at highway speed, followed by coolant loss and steam. Repairs such as water pump, thermostat, radiator, or heater core replacement are commonly reported, and in several cases the overheating returned, with mechanics diagnosing a failed head gasket, loose head bolts, or a cracked or leaking engine. Some complaints mention the vehicle was towed and that a replacement engine was quoted. Reported from about 28,000 miles up to over 160,000 miles, often after highway driving or shortly after a coolant-system repair.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition before and after a test drive, look for residue or seepage around the water pump and crossover pipes, and ask whether any cooling-system work or head gasket repair has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Im disable I drive with hand control. As I was driven I notice a burning smell . And then my front window frog up with steam. And then I heard this load bum. My foot just start jumping around and I look down there were a pile of water hot . I pull over and notice that the heater core had burst which left me with a second and third degree burn on my right foot. I have not repair the car yet .”

   NHTSA complaint #10257799, filed 2009-02, 181,200 miles

   “My car was overheating. I had the water pump replaced and the radiator and it continued to over heat. I took it to the dealership where they told me that I my cross over pipes were leaking and I would need a new engine. I found this very hard to believe when I have taken such good care of the my care with scheduled oil changes and the works. I love my car and I don't want to get rid of it, please help me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10411633, filed 2011-07, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls while slowing or at low speed

   • 20 complaints (11%)
   • median 54,250 mi at 5.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2014

   Owners describe the engine shutting off without warning, most often while decelerating to a stop, entering an exit ramp, or at low speed, with loss of power steering and power brakes. Some vehicles restarted after being shifted to neutral; in others the engine would not restart. Dealers are described in several complaints as unable to duplicate the problem, and repairs such as a PCV valve or idle control parts did not always stop it from recurring. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 100,000 miles, with several complaints noting the stall happened during deceleration.

   What to check: During a test drive, slow down from highway speed to a stop and note any stumble or drop in idle; ask whether the throttle body, idle control valve, and EGR system have been cleaned or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10149696, filed 2006-02, 99,000 miles

   “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) .”

   NHTSA complaint #10119213, filed 2005-05, 50,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS light on, unwanted ABS or brake pull

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 12.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2014

   Complaints describe the ABS and traction warning lamps staying on, unwanted ABS or traction activation, and the brake pedal requiring extra force while the car pulls to one side. Owners report being told the ABS module needs replacement and, in some cases, that the part is unavailable and the car should not be driven in wet or winter weather. Brake hoses cracking or rupturing and rapid wear on one front brake are also described. Reported from roughly 13,000 to 100,000 miles, with several under 70,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Make sure the ABS and traction lights are off after start-up, test the brakes on a wet or loose surface if possible, and inspect the flexible brake hoses for cracking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving light came on car failed to stop pulled toone side took it to rinkle Cadillac was told it was ABS module covered by GM they had recall went back several times finally the y told they could not get part not to drive car in wet weather or winter car is own by senior lady bought new only 70000miles kept in garage car is listed fleetwood limited limited amount made this is my second time applying never got answer yet my husband wrote in first time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10641522, filed 2014-10, 50,000 miles

   “My 1999 Cadillac Deville has had two ongoing defects that have not been fixed. The problems began during the first year when the car was under warranty and after many service visits for repair has not been fixed. Two warning indicator lights appear, 1.traction engaging light and 2.anti-lock brake light continue to illuminate. At the same time there is an intermittent growling noise and the brakes grab and make the steering difficult. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10150683, filed 2006-02, 13,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering noise, vibration or pump failure

   • 12 complaints (6%)
   • median 29,100 mi at 5.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2011

   Owners describe groaning, grinding, or thumping noises when turning the wheel, vibration felt through the steering wheel at idle or while shifting, and difficulty steering. Repairs described include a loose or missing rack-and-pinion bolt, power steering pump replacement, and hose work, and some owners say the noise returned or the dealer could not identify a cause. Mostly reported at low mileage, from about 13,000 to 65,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning or thumping, check the power steering fluid level, and look for leaks at the rack and hoses.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own 2 1999 Cadillac Deville's. One in ny & one in fl. Both vehicles had the exact same problem. The power steering pump had to be replaced in both cars because of a grinding and difficulty in steering. This seems to be due to a defect that should have been recalled by general motors, and I should be reimbursed my cost of about $1000. For both repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10328066, filed 2010-04, 18,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact stated while the vehicle was idling or shifting between gears the steering wheel vibrated. This seemed to happen more often while turning the wheel to the left. The dealer said it was a hydraulic hose. Also, they said there was no way to repair the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141943, filed 2005-11, 35,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Side air bags did not deploy in a collision

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   In these complaints owners describe side impacts where the side air bags did not inflate, and in some accounts occupants were thrown against the door or injured. One complaint describes the front air bags deploying after a low-speed bump, and another describes the driver air bag deploying without inflating in a frontal crash. Several owners report the air bag warning lamp staying on. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 12,000 to over 140,000 miles, usually after a collision.

   Recall 00V2170001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the air bag warning lamp goes out after start-up, and check with a dealer whether the side impact sensor recall (00V217000) was performed for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Yesterday, nov. 22, I had a front end collision which resulted in my car being totalled. At the moment of impact the air bag on the passenger side deployed and inflated, but the air bag on the driver's side deployed but did not inflate. The car was a 1999 Cadillac Deville sedan with 65,000 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10100440, filed 2004-11, 65,000 miles

   “We were leaving my son's apartment when we hit the speed bump at about 5 miles an hour the air bags deployed and busted out our wind shield and filled the car with smoke. My fianc was driving the car and had his thumb hurt. Several of the electrical things in the car do not work now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10678787, filed 2015-01, 85,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the cooling system and air bag complaints are the ones worth taking most seriously: have a mechanic pressure-test the cooling system and check for coolant residue before buying, and confirm the side air bag sensor recall was completed. A pre-purchase inspection covering brakes, ABS warning lights, and steering noise is also reasonable given the age of these cars.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.