2003 Cadillac Deville: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 144 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I tried to explain to the dealership that unaware of the recall my cars breaks had failed and crashed my vehicle. They said the only thing that was affected was the key. I had told her that the result of my crash was from my breaks not working due to the recall. She told me no that that wasnt affected. I just want my car to be safe on the road as i have kids, and family that ride with me regularly.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2021
“Fuel level sensor stopped working , also after I gotten my transmission rebuilt and my front motor mount placed in the car no longer cranks like normal . Takes a while to turn over, key slides out , steering wheel is hard to turn while during and steering wheel jerks in the other direction while turning . The power steering has a leak and also the air ride suspension has stopped working lowered the car and shocks have lowered . NHTSA campaign id: 14v355000 NHTSA campaign id: 03v238”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2020
“Takata recall - the air bag light is staying on all the time. The service engine light comes on occassionally after I put gas in”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Back on july 16th 2019, I was stopped at a stop sign about to get a on the main road. When I was rear ended in my 03 cadillac deville. Airbags never deployed, causing the passenger to having whiplash/nerve damage. As per myself, now I have lower back issues.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“I see this affects many years and models. Its the security system thinking the car is being tampered with after a new battery is installed. This car wont start as many others. It gets juice to the fuel pump lights and dash. Jumped the fuse to the starter and cae turns over but wont start. Ot will lock you out. No dealers or mechanics know what this problem is. So we have no choice but to junk the car. This is ridiculous. I'm one po'd cadillac owner!!!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac deville. The contact stated that the service engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the arrowhead cadillac (8310 w bell rd, glendale, az 85308 (623) 455-6910) where it was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 79,000. The VIN was not available. *tt VIN is invalid. *jb”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac deville equipped with michelin primacy mxv4 tires, size: 235/60/r16 (na). While driving 50 mph, the tires vibrated. It was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new front axle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The tires were replaced. The tires were replacement tires. The contact also noticed that all four tires were dry rotted. The vehicle failure mileage was 36,000 and the tire failure mileage was 5,500. The VIN was not available. Updated 09/08/16*lj *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2016
“Ignition recall: on 12 march 2015 I took my 2003 cadillac deville into valley cadillac rochester, ny as part of the gm ignition recall. Prior to that my vehicle would just shut down for no reason. After having my vehicle serviced, I hit a pot hole on the city street and my vehicle stopped running. Last week I was turning a corner after coming off the freeway off ramp turning on to a city street and my vehicle stopped again and everything locked up. The recall fix did not repair my vehicle. I am calling valley cadillac first thing monday to get it serviced again.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“My car turns off while driving. No power for brakes, steering or lights. I had recall for key rotation completed last week but my car turned off last night while doing 70 on interstate. The mossy of picayune dealership states that the recall may not be the cause but from what I read before taking car in...the problem with key rotation causes car to turn off without warning. I consider this a life threatening problem and need to know how to proceed to prevent bodily harm to myself and possibly others. The car had been turning off prior to the recall.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 gm is making a half-hearted "repair" by placing an insert into the key. I've four times requested they mail me the inserts. They refuse. I must bring in the car so the dealer can record the VIN or they won't get paid. I can't spend 2 hours traveling to a dealership and waiting for the key inserts. It's not a vehicle repair and gm doesn't need my vehicle. Just the keys! I have four keys in the hands of different family members. Gathering them and making a trip to the dealership is unreasonable. NHTSA should require gm to mail inserts to owners to place into the keys when requested.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Deville by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Cadillac Deville reliable?
NHTSA has 144 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Cadillac Deville. The most complained-about area is electrical system (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Cadillac Deville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Cadillac Deville have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.