2002 Cadillac Deville

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 176 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

113 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System30
312
Air Bags16
302
Engine14
000
Engine and Engine Cooling10
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls6
000
Vehicle Speed Control5
100
Tires5
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
000
Steering4
100

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V355000
Filed Jun 23, 20143,141,731 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly03V238000
Filed Jul 1, 2003102,212 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.

Risk. FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor02V227000
Filed Sep 5, 2002269,169 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER LAP AND/OR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS THAT MAY NOT REMAIN LOCKED UP AS DESIGNED DURING A CRASH IN WHICH THE BELT PRETENSIONERS DEPLOY.

Risk. IN SUCH A CRASH, THIS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN INJURY FOR THAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINER KIT IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

Air Bags › Frontal02V222000
Filed Aug 9, 2002133,221 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Risk. PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)02V067000
Filed Mar 6, 2002249 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.

Risk. IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 7, 202580,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a tree. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage, but no air bag had deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 2, 2021164,000 milesTX

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN THE HORN SOUNDED EXTREMELY LOUD AND WOULD NOT STOP I COULD NOT STOP IT SO I TOOK IT TO SHOP. THE DEALER SAYS THAT AIRBAG SHORTED OUT AND SHORTED OUT THE HORN. THEY WANT TO REPLACE AIRBAG AND HORN AT A COST OF $1109 WAS THIS AIRBAG RECALLED?

Engine
Filed May 26, 202010,000 milesCA

I WAS GOING TO DROP OFF SOME TRASH BAGS IN DUMPSTER AROUND THE BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE.AND WAS PARKED NEXT TO IT AT APTMENTS STREET.I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURNED OFF ENGINE AND REMOVED THE KEYS POPPED THE TRUNK REMOVED TRASH BAGS CLOSED TRUNK AND GOT BACK IN DRIVER SEAT PLACED KEY IN JUST AS ALWAYS REAL EASY GOING AND TRIED TO TURN IT FOR HOUR IN HOT SUN THEN WALKED HOME CALLED TOW TRUCK WERE WE BROUGHT IT HOME WERE I LIVE MY HOUSE AND COST $164.00 DOLLARS AND IS IN SAME CONDITION AS OF NOW. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Apr 11, 2020180,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND I WILL LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND I'M PRETTY SURE MY AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING EITHER

Air Bags
Filed Aug 9, 2019100,000 milesFL

TAKATA AIR BAG, DO NOT KNOW IF THAT ITEM IS IN MY CAR BUT THEY SAY IT IS. ALSO LIKE SO MANY NORTHSTAR ENGINES THERE IS TROUBLE WITH THE HEAD GASKET, AND ACCORDING TO THE HYDROCARBON BLOCK TEST, MINE MUST BE REPLACED. IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT, THE ENGINE AND POWER TRAIN MUST BE REMOVED, AT MY EXPENSE. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, MY CAR CONTINUES TO TRY AND OVERHEAT AFTER ABOUT 29 MILES OF DRIVING. AFTER LISTENING TO THOSE FOLKS ON THE CADILLAC FORUM, I HAVE BEEN LEAD TO BELIEVE, THE OVERHEATING ISSUE MAY BE, PARTLY THE FAULT OF THE FINE THREAD HEAD BOLTS AND OR STUDS. MANY MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAVE SAID THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE, ALTHOUGH THE FOLKS ON THE CADILLAC FOURM HAVE SAID THAT TIME-SERTS, OR THE LARGER STUDS/BOLTS MIGHT FIX THE ISSUE. NEVER THE LESS, WITH EACH CADILLAC DEVILLE DHS WITH THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE I READ ABOUT, THE SAME ISSUE EXISTS FOR ALMOST ALL OF THEM, WHICH INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF POSSIBLY NOT USING A LARGE ENOUGH BOLT/STUD TO BEGIN WITH. EITHER THAT OR CADILLAC MAY HAVE HAD A PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE TYPE THING TO GET THE DRIVERS TO KEEP REPLACING THEIR AUTOMOBILES. AND THEY SAY RECALLS ARE NOT COVERING THIS DESIGN FLAW....

Electrical System
Filed Feb 13, 2019TX

I HAVE THE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD OF AIRBAGS THE LIGHT NEVER TURNS ON PLUS BLUETOOTH DOESNT WORK AND SOME TIME IT DOESNT WANT TO TURN ON THIS HAPPEN LIKE 3 TIMES 1 IN THE GAS STATION 2 AT WALMART PARKING AND 3 AT HOME THIS HAPPEN DIFFERENT DAYS AND MONTHS FROM OCT ,2018, NOV ,2018 , AND JAN OF THIS YEAR 2019

Air Bags
Filed Jan 7, 2019192,000 milesFL

WELL I NOTICE THAT SOME TIME THE KEY WORKS AND SOME TIME IT DONT. THE SEAT BELT GET STUCK SOME TIME AND I JUST FOYND OUT THE CAR HAD RECALLS

Electrical System
Filed Apr 17, 201851,000 milesNJ

ENGINE STALLS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING/IN MOTION. RESTARTS WITH IGNITION SWITCH RESTART. APPEARS TO BE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 27, 201799,000 milesFL

WARNING LIGHTS,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON,STERING BAD.AIRBAG LIGHT ON OFF.CHECK RECALL THERE ARE 5.THE CAR WAS IN MOTION,HIGHWAY

Electrical System
Filed Jul 21, 2016135,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WAS JAMMED IN THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT BE MOVED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CLAIMED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 5, 201698,000 milesMO

TAKATA RECALL: DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LOST IT'S REFLECTION. THE MIRROR STARTED TURNING A DARK BROWNISH COLOR THEN STARTED LOSING ITS REFLECTION FROM THE TOP OF THE MIRROR TO THE BOTTOM. THERE IS NO VISIBILITY AT ALL IN THE MIRROR.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 28, 2016140,000 milesMI

WILD TRAVELING FAR RIGHT LANE 45 MILE-AN-HOUR 5 LANE MAJOR ROAD IN MICHIGAN HIT POTHOLE LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEARD LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC STRUGGLED CAR BACK TO THE RIGHT TOOK OVER 1 MILES TO FINALLY COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AT A FOUR FOOT CONCRETE BARRIER IN FRONT OF A CAR DEALERSHIP AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY LOSS OF CONTROL BRAKES STEERING VERY HARD

Air Bags
Filed Mar 24, 2016160,000 milesMN

I GOT INTO MY CAR AT WORK TO GO TO A BUSINESS. I INSERTED THE KEY AND STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH DEPLOYED BREAKING THE DASH AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN MY COMPANY'S PARKING LOT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 11, 201687,000 milesFL

THE FACTORY SUPPLIED CAR 'SCISSOR' JACK STRUCTURALLY FAILED WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND WAS BEING LIFTED ON A GARAGE FLOOR. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE CAR FALLING OFF THE JACK SUBSEQUENT TO THE TIRE BEING REMOVED. NO BODILY INJURY WAS SUSTAINED FROM THE FAILURE BUT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE CAR, MOST VISIBLY WITH THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER BEING OFFSET ABOUT AN EIGHTH TO A QUARTER INCH AWAY FROM THE CAR'S FRAME.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 23, 2015IN

2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. ALSO, WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO REMOVE THE KEY, IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. *JB

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Sep 21, 2015IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V238000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Sep 9, 2015120,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 26, 2015MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 2, 201591,000 milesOR

THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING, ON ITS OWN, UP TO 40 MPH FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. LEGACY FORD IN LAGRANDE, OREGON HAS TOLD US IT IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM AND THEY WILL HAVE TO PUT THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE ON IT. WE HAVE ALREADY PAID THEM 179.36 FOR LABOR, GASKET AND CLEANER. THEY HAD TOLD US TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM IF IT HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE IN TOWN SO THEY COULD TEST IT FURTHER. LAST WEEK I WAS IN TOWN AND IT HAPPENED SO I TOOK IT TO THEM. THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME SO THAT IS WHY THEY NEED TO USE THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. I TRIED TO REPORT THIS TO CADILLAC BUT THEY WEREN'T INTERESTED IN MY PROBLEM. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 1, 2015NC

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM BROTHER 7 MONTHS AGO. AIRBAG WARNING WILL NOT GO OFF. GROUND WIRE DEFECT DEC. 2014 AND DEALERSHIP REPAIR SAME. THEY INDICATED EVERYTHING CLEARED OUT; HOWEVER, WHEN I LEFT DEALERSHIP PROBLEM STILL EXIST FOR AIRBAG. I HAVE ASKED ABOUT ANY RECALL BUT THEY DID NOT INDICATE ANY. THE GROUND WIRE REPAIR RESTORED ALL OTHER MALFUNCTIONS ON DASH BUT AIR BAG STILL ON. THEY DID INDICATE LOW VOLTAGE TO AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP VERY NICE BUT I AM STILL VERY NERVOUS OVER AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON. REPAIR INVOICE [XXX] / DICK SHIRLEY DEALERSHIP BURLINGTON,NC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20 of 176 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200595110Routine
2004167140Routine
2003145400Routine
2002 — this page176521Fatalities reported
2001175430Routine
2000225541Fatalities reported
1999187143Fatalities reported
1998237312Fatalities reported
1997269280Above average
1996218270Above average
1995129266Fatalities reported
1994127080Routine
1993921140Routine
19921351130Routine
199187190Routine
199076220Routine

Compare every Deville year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 23, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.