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2002 Cadillac Deville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Deville years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Cadillac Deville are substantially higher than the model-year median of 44.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

114 reports with mileage · 62 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

176 reports
5,000 miles · Oct 21, 2005
Electrical System

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS DEFECT SINCE MAY 27, 2005. HE CONTACTED CADILLAC, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER TWO…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS DEFECT SINCE MAY 27, 2005. HE CONTACTED CADILLAC, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER TWO OR THREE TIMES. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE, AND THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10140467

62,000 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Visibility

I DON'T SUSPECT THAT THIS DEFECT IS SAFETY-RELATED SO MUCH AS JUST A DEFECT, BUT THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN ON 3 OF THE WINDOWS IN MY CADILLAC IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS, CAUSING ALL 3 WINDOWS TO BE STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE REPAIR GUY SAYS HE IS REPAIRING A LOT OF REGULATORS IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE C…

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I DON'T SUSPECT THAT THIS DEFECT IS SAFETY-RELATED SO MUCH AS JUST A DEFECT, BUT THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN ON 3 OF THE WINDOWS IN MY CADILLAC IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS, CAUSING ALL 3 WINDOWS TO BE STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE REPAIR GUY SAYS HE IS REPAIRING A LOT OF REGULATORS IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAPLY DESIGNED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137413

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAS A REPEAT GASOLINE OVERFLOW PROBLEM.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE GASOLINE HOSE NOZZLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF WHEN THE TANK WAS NEARLY FULL. GAS DID SPILL OUT OF THE VEHICLES FILLING TUBE AND ONTO THE PAVEMENT. SEVERAL OUNCES OF GAS REMAINED IN THE POCKET BELOW THE FUEL CAP , IT DIDN'T DRAIN OFF. THE POCK…

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2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAS A REPEAT GASOLINE OVERFLOW PROBLEM.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE GASOLINE HOSE NOZZLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF WHEN THE TANK WAS NEARLY FULL. GAS DID SPILL OUT OF THE VEHICLES FILLING TUBE AND ONTO THE PAVEMENT. SEVERAL OUNCES OF GAS REMAINED IN THE POCKET BELOW THE FUEL CAP , IT DIDN'T DRAIN OFF. THE POCKET FILLS WITH WATER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WASHED . *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130248

8,687 miles · Jun 30, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibility

1. (A) MY CADILLAC (DHS-2002) OPERATES IN A DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE MANNER THAT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED NO LESS THAN 16 TIMES TO FIX EQUIPMENT FAILURES, INCLUDING THOSE WHICH COULD BE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES, TO NO AVAIL. (B) THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THOUGH T…

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1. (A) MY CADILLAC (DHS-2002) OPERATES IN A DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE MANNER THAT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED NO LESS THAN 16 TIMES TO FIX EQUIPMENT FAILURES, INCLUDING THOSE WHICH COULD BE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES, TO NO AVAIL. (B) THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THOUGH THE BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. (C) THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHEN MAKING TURNS. 2. (A) MY VEHICLE CONTAINS "AUTOMATIC RAIN SENSORS" FOR ITS WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WIPERS COME ON VIOLENTLY (HIGHEST LEVEL), EVEN WHEN NOT TURNED ON, AND THOUGH IT IS NOT RAINING. THE DANGER IS SUDDEN DISTRACTION, WHICH COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC AND IN OTHER DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS. THEY ALSO COME ON SUDDENLY WHEN PASSING RADIO TOWERS. THE DATE SET FORTH BELOW IS THE FIRST INCIDENT; IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. (B) THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CREATES FEAR IN THE DRIVER, AS WE ARE UNSURE AS TO IF AND WHEN THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. IF IT WHERE TO DEPLOY ERRONEOUSLY WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. (C) ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE MAKING TURNS IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 3. (A) I HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER FOR SERVICE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOR HAS ANY REPAIR BEEN EFFECTED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE, AND I SUSPECT THAT IT AFFECTS ALL CADILLACS SIMILARLY EQUIPPED. (B) THE AIRBAGS WHERE REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHICH HAS, AS LEAST TEMPORARILY, SOLVED THE PROBLEM. (C) ON TWO OCCASIONS, SENSORS WERE REPLACED WHICH WHERE ALLEGEDLY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM (LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS 5/25/05) THE FOREGOING REPRESENT CRITICAL ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS. THE INABILITY OF GM TO RESOLVE THE AUTOMATIC WIPER ISSUE, TOGETHER WITH MULTIPLE REPAIRS OF OTHER SENSORS THAT CAUSED MAJOR SYSTEM FAILURES REQUIRES INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10127138

63,000 miles · Jun 1, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE DIED. IT STARTED RIGHT UP AGAIN. CALLED DEALER, AND THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CALLER MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10123802

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2005
Structure

OWNER OF A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE VIN #[XXX] CONCERNED THAT THE DASH COMPONENTS COVER (SMOKE GREY) MAKES READING THE DASH COMPONENTS DIFFICULT TO SEE DURING THE DAY.*MR *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10122608

26,245 miles · Feb 16, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT DRIVER APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE GAINING SPEED. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW OR STOP BUT CAR ACCELRATED EVEN MORE. OVER A THREE BLOCK STRETCH TWO VECHILES WERE HIT BEFORE CAR WENT INTO A DITCH LAYING ON ITS SIDE. CAR A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110646

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2004
Unknown Or Other

THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ONLY READABLE AT NIGHT OR DURING A HEAVILY OVERCAST DAY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT REQUIRED. *BF THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH SMOKE PLASTIC COVERS THAT COVERED THE DASHBOARD PANEL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109350

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101602

26,886 miles · Nov 22, 2004
Tires

TIRE TREADS SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING. TIRE SIZE P225/60R16. *AK *SC

NHTSA ODI #10097453

Official recalls

5

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

03V238000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 1, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

02V227000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Sep 5, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 9, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

02V067000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Mar 6, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.