Research · Large Cars

1999 Cadillac DevilleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 192 owner complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Deville. Most complaints involve air bags (48) and engine and engine cooling (48). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2000
Owner complaints
192
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: side

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR MODULES HAVE QUALITY PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. THESE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH LESS FORCE THAN A FRONTAL AIR BAG AND ARE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.

Air bagsReported Aug 11, 2000NHTSA 00V217000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

192 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – Jul 2022
  1. Air bags48
  2. Engine and engine cooling48
  3. Electrical system20
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  5. Steering13
  6. Vehicle speed control12
  7. Suspension9
  8. Fuel system, gasoline8
  9. Tires8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Deville model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996225
1997280
1998242
1999192
2000237
2001177
2002182
2003148
2004174
2005104
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

48 reports15 crashes
“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. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2015Air bagsODI 10678787

Engine and engine cooling

48 reports3 fires
“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. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10411633

Electrical system

20 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED CODES FROM THE ON BOARD COMPUTER: PASS KEY OPEN/SHORTER PELLET, PASS KEY WRONG AND FUEL SENSOR FEEDBACK SHORTED HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2015Electrical systemODI 10706119
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
DeVille
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152418$4,400494
  • DeVille
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Cadillac Deville as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 3935
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Deville questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac Deville have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Cadillac Deville problems?

Owners filed 192 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (48), engine and engine cooling (48), electrical system (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Cadillac Deville get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Cadillac Deville at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026