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2003 Cadillac Deville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Deville years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Deville are substantially higher than the model-year median of 44.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

105 reports with mileage · 40 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 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

145 reports
1,483 miles · Oct 25, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE ACT AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO STALL OR RUN OUT OF GAS. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN REPETATIVETHE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10142094

6,629 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE BAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL FOUR ROTORS OUT OF ROUND. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10129968

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2005
Electrical System

2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND AN ATTEMPTED JUMP START WAS INEFFECTIVE IN STARTING THE VEHICLE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *NM

NHTSA ODI #10122659

24,000 miles · Dec 20, 2004
Parking Brake

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK.....THE BRAKE LOCKS UP TO THE POINT THAT IT TAKES PRESSURE FROM THE D…

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THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK.....THE BRAKE LOCKS UP TO THE POINT THAT IT TAKES PRESSURE FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE. IT SHOULD RELEASE WHEN IT IS PUT INTO REVERSE. ALSO, POWER STEERING MAKES A GROANING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP OR FIRST STARTING OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10105082

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH 2003 CADILLAC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CRUISE CONTROL CEASED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPAIRED. *BF . THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HEAD LIGHTS EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON UNTIL ANOTHER HEAVY RAIN AND THEY WENT OUT…

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MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH 2003 CADILLAC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CRUISE CONTROL CEASED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPAIRED. *BF . THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HEAD LIGHTS EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON UNTIL ANOTHER HEAVY RAIN AND THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THAT WAS THE REASON THE CHECK COOLANT LEVEL READING WAS BEING DISPLAYED. *TC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10099946

10,000 miles · Sep 15, 2004
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 15000 AND WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN. THE DRIVER HAS TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WILL GO AGAIN. THIS DEFECT ALWAYS OCCURS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE P…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 15000 AND WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN. THE DRIVER HAS TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WILL GO AGAIN. THIS DEFECT ALWAYS OCCURS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM WILL NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF AND THEY TELL THE OWNER THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092323

38,007 miles · Jul 20, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT OCCURRED AGAIN. IT IS NOW WITH THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY WILL TRY TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10083322

2,700 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

STARTED ENGINE; HEARD LOUD CONTINUOUS PINGING SOUND; SHUT ENGINE DOWN. THIS COULD DAMAGE ENGINE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS CARBON BUILDUP. CAR HAS 2700 MILES ON IT. MUST BE DEFECTIVE CADILLAC. DEALER SAYS PROBLEM IS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075173

11,000 miles · Jun 7, 2004
Equipment

1.MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR, WHEN SUDDENLY, THE RADIO VOLUME JUMPED FROM A LOW LEVEL TO AN EXTREMELY LOUD LEVEL AND SCARED HER TO THE POINT THAT SHE NEARLY DROVE OFF THE ROAD. 2. RADIO VOLUME INTERMITTENT.*AK 3. REPLACED RADIO SIX TIMES- STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #10074957

2,800 miles · May 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALER CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT BRAKE PEDAL STILL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073982

Official recalls

4

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.

03V051000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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.

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.