NHTSA Complaint #10166274 — 2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE

2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE DTS HAS THE VEHICLE BATTERY UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS REPLACING THE FACTORY BATTERY IN AUGUST 2006 AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. THERE WAS POWDERED ACID ACCUMULATED UNDER AND AROUND THE BATTERY, NEAR THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. THE BATTERY ACID HAS CORRODED THE METAL OF THE CAR BODY, RESULTING IN A THROUGH AND THROUGH HOLE IN THE CAR. I WILL HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY A BODY SHOP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ANOTHER CADILLAC DEVILLE OWNER, 2001 MODEL, THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT ANY FURTHER CORROSION COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE CAR BODY SUPPORTING THE BATTERY. THE CAR BATTERY WOULD THEN FALL ONTO THE ROADWAY, POSSIBLY PRESENTING A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. *JB