Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 306 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Cadillac DeVille, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 49 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 46 | 15% |
| Fuel system | 32 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 31 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 8% |
| Steering | 20 | 7% |
| Suspension | 12 | 4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 4% |
| Power train | 9 | 3% |
| Air bags | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
[ ] 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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical 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
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
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.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical 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 TAKE
NHTSA complaint: Traction control system
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 SMO
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 A
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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?
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Cadillac DeVille. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2
THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 306 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 49 of them (16%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.