Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1997 vs 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 347 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 11.7% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1997 266 complaints 1998 235 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1997 share 1998 share Share change
AIR BAGS 3.0% 13.6% ▲ 10.6 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 19.2% 9.8% ▼ 9.4 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 13.5% 6.4% ▼ 7.2 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10.9% 17.0% ▲ 6.1 pts larger share
ENGINE 16.5% 11.9% ▼ 4.6 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 1.5% 4.7% ▲ 3.2 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.1% 4.3% ▲ 3.1 pts larger share
STEERING 7.9% 5.5% ▼ 2.4 pts smaller share
TIRES not reported 1.3% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7.9% 6.8% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.8% 1.7% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 3.4% 2.6% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 0.8% 1.3% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 3.0% 3.4% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 0.4% not reported ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 1.1% 0.9% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 77.4% 73.6% ▼ 3.8 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1997 2

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1998 3

Campaign components: AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
8 → 1
◆ Injuries
6 → 17