Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | ||||||
| PE98005 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 02/06/1998 | 08/27/1998 | ERRATIC TURN SIGNAL OPERATION | ||
| Alleged that the rear turn signal bulbs may not illuminate if th eturn signal lever is not al the way in the up or down position | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||
| 87315 | 2 | ||
| While driving headlight lenses fell off on two separate occasions. head light assembly was replaced. *ak | |||
| 08/23/2002 | 1 | 09/01/1999 | |
| The lens on the headlight lamps are losing the glue, causing the headlight lens to fall out of place. the consumer contacted the dealer, and they were not willing to do anything. *ak the consumer states that on the right headlight holding the 11 by 7 inch lens failed causing the lens to come off while driving at 60 mph. *scc | |||
| 08/23/2002 | 2 | ||
| The headlight lens has clouded, reducing the light beam affecting night time driving. this is not a surface problem, because it cannot be cleared. the defect is a material problem caused by the sunlight. this problem has existed for about 8 months now making the lens appear opaque even in the day light. cadillac refuses responsibility and says the vehicle is out of warranty. *jg | |||
| 04/17/2002 | 2 | 07/01/2097 | |
| While driving about 65 mph on the open road a headlight lens came loose, and bounced off the passenger side windshield. we didn't know what it was until we stopped and examined the auto. there was a slight dent in the post between the windshield and the passenger side window. the left headlight lens ws examined and found to be loose. on the return trip the left headlight lens came off. fi may have gone under the car as i recall a slight noise while driving. the parts man at the dealer made the comment that this usually doesn't happen to cadillacs and when it does they ususlly just drop off. the lenses are secured to the headlight with glue. apparently this is common on other autos. the repair entailed repalcing both headlight at a total cost of about $610 problem. in my opinion this is poor engineerring.*ak | |||
| 03/01/1999 | 2 | 03/01/1999 | |
| While driving headlight lens fell off. took to dealer. problem was not remedied. *ak *jg | |||
| 03/27/2002 | |||
| While driving glass lens on headlights on both sides fell off without any warning.*ak | |||
| 10/10/2001 | 2 | ||
| Two front lenses that cover headlights fell out while consumer was driving. contacted dealer, and the dealer could not find the cause of the problem. *ak *yh | |||
| 12/01/2001 | 2 | ||
| While traveling at highway speeds driver's side and passenger's side headlight lenses blewout. there are no headlights in the vehicle at this time. dealer has been contacted. *akconsumer had both the lenses fixed. per phone conversation with cadillac, cadillac agreed to pay 75% of cost. consumer believes this to be a defect cadillac should investigate. consumer is awaiting reimbursement. *jg(possible new address: sharon badgley 33248 sand dune lane, leesburg, fl 34788 352-314-2444) | |||
| 11/20/2001 | 2 | ||
| Driver's side headlight cover fell off. dealer replaced cover. checked passenger's side and noticed it was loose. *ak consumer states that this could cause light failure or a fire. *jb | |||
| 12/01/2001 | 2 | 09/09/1999 | |
| Drivers side headlight cover fell off, passenger side is loose and possibly leaks water in to the electrical sockets. *jg *ak | |||
| 04/25/2001 | 1 | 04/01/2001 | |
| Headlamp lens separated from housing due to adhesive failure, exposing reflector and lamp to moisture and potential failure. service manager informed that this is common problem. component available for inspection.*ak | |||
| 07/07/2001 | 2 | 09/01/2000 | |
| Head light lens have falled off headlights. dealer was notified, and informed consumer that parts were only sold as a whole unit, not just lens cover. asking nhtsa to assist in this matter.*ak consumer states that the plastic civer has fallen off while driving, replacement is costly because consumer has to purchase the whole head light assembly instead of just the failed part. *slc | |||
| 03/11/2001 | 1 | 02/01/2001 | |
| Both headlight covers fell off while driving in cold,rainy conditions. thankfully, my used car dealer handled the problem under warranty, but it appears there is a defect in the construction of the headlight units.*ak | |||
| 04/16/2001 | 2 | 05/01/1997 | |
| Consumer was traveling at approximately 65 mph in high wind when cover for right front headlamp fell off. then, it started raining which caused headlamp bulb to go out. consumer was stopped by state police who informed him that headlight was out. *ak headlight assembly was replaced and the same day while driving the left plastic cover blew off. *slc | |||
| 02/02/2001 | 2 | 02/01/1997 | |
| My 1997 cadillac deville was one month out of warranty when the right headlight cover fell off whil my wife was on the highway. upon further inspection, i found that the left headlight cover was about to fall off as the adhesive had failed that holds the lens to the headlight body. no replacement covers are available. the only fix is to replace the entire headlight assembly at a cost of $689.75 for the two headlight assemblies. cadillac has reuected this as a manufacturing defect or as a safety issue. i feel it is both and that this vintage of cadillac deville's should be investigated for what i am finding out is a somewhat common problem. while my wife was in the service waiting area to have these headlights replaced one of the customers also stated that she was in for the same problem and another said that he had recently had one of his replaced in both instances this was done under warranty. also, if this were not a common problem why would a small town dealership stock such an expensive part and not have to order it from the factory? further, unpon inquiry by a friend of mine of a west palm beach cadillac dealer's service rep, the service rep made the statement that this happens all the time and we usually cover it under the normal warranty or a special warranty that we can utilize. i feel that this is a safety issue and not just a problem of getting satisfaction from cadillac. the safety issue is that when the headlight cover is gone or fails to be watertight, moisture can reach the halogen bulb within the sealed unit and the least amount of moisture causes the bulb to fail. needless to say, you are then unexpectedly without lights if both units fail and if only one fails you are still without proper lighting for nighttime driving. can you inquire of cadillac as to the frequency of this headlight lens failure and ask them why they have not establised a recall program if this failure is as frequent as i am hearing?*ak | |||
| 02/24/2001 | 1 | 01/01/2001 | |
| Headligt lens comes unglued from headlight flies off; also causes headlight failure; talked with service rep at dealership and he stated that it is a common defect. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1999 | 2 | 01/01/1998 | |
| Headlights had to be replaced because lense was separating, consumer felt it was coming from a heat buildup, consumer also owned a 1995 same make/model that experienced the same problem.*ak *slc | |||
| 02/16/1998 | 1 | 07/11/1997 | |
| Left front headlamp assembly replaced due to an improperly sealed headlamp causing leakage and moisture. | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - CONCEALMENT DEVICES | |||
| 04/07/2005 | 35000 | 1 | |
| The consumer experienced a problem with the headlight lenses. the lenses kept falling out of position. the owner stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph the lens fell out of position on to the road. the owner contacted the dealer, who suggested that the entire fixture be replaced. the dealer will not sell the lens by itself. *ak the right headlight lenses fell out. the weather was warm and or clear. *sc *jb | |||
| 10/25/2004 | 69000 | 1 | |
| The headlight lens fell off. the adhesive that held the headlights became hard. please describe details. *jb | |||
| 06/22/2003 | 65000 | 1 | 04/08/1999 |
| The consumer noticed the head light had burned out, and water was inside the head light lens and it was loose and about to fall out. the consumer check the other head light lens and it too was loose and about to fall out. *ak the consumer replaced the head light and placed duct tape on the lenses to keep them from falling out, the dealer was aware of the problem. *ts *jb | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH | |||
| 1 | |||
| The left headlight clear lens-cover came loose, the consumer believed that this component could be resealed, the dealer informed the consumer that it could not be resealed but a new lamp assembly had to be installed, insurance agent leonard dunlop wrote in for consumer. nlm | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS | |||
| 11/01/1997 | 03/01/1997 | ||
| While driving vehicle tail lights will come off even if light is on, heating panel is turned on. the only time tail lights will appear is when applying brakes. dealer will not check vehicle until they are able to dupilcate problem. this is an intermittent problem. *ak | |||
| 09/06/1997 | 1 | 10/01/1996 | |
| Rear tail light failed due to short in the system. | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - FLASHER UNIT | |||
| 1 | 10/18/1996 | ||
| The right front and rear flashers do not illuminate when the turn signal i depressed. | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH | |||
| 10/01/2002 | |||
| While traveling on the highway without prior warning the turn signal will not go on. please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem. ts | |||
| 01/24/1997 | |||
| When using the turn signal, the front lamps illuminate and click rapidly like the bulb is burned out. when this happens the rear lamps do not illuminate. | |||