10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
120,079 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Cadillac DeVille engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Cadillac DeVille Owner Comments

problem #16

Nov 202021

DeVille

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #15

Jul 012018

DeVille

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles
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. VIN is invalid.

- Sun City West, AZ, USA

problem #14

May 282018

DeVille

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to start the vehicle and the key was hard to remove from the ignition. In addition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated upon attempting to start the vehicle, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that a security module failed and there was a disconnection of the electrical system. The vehicle was then taken to vinings enterprises Inc. (904 N Tennessee St, cartersville, ga 30120, (770) 382-2007), but the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Carterville, GA, USA

problem #13

Oct 272012

DeVille

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My engine leaks oil from the seals. It was always dealer maintained for regular maintenance with low mileage. It started 3 years ago. I noticed you recalled other vehicles for this problem. My engine is a V8. Regular oil changes etc. It continues to leak. Dealer wants $2,500 to fix seals. The way I drive it with low millage of 60,000 miles it should not have leaked. Just read about recall of other GM cars on 27 Oct. 2015.

- Temple, PA, USA

problem #12

Oct 232014

DeVille

  • 64,020 miles
After taking off from a stop sign, I drove up over about 1 1/2 inch vertical rise in the pavement (small bump). The engine and electrical systems shut down. I lost power stirring and power brakes. I got stopped and restarted the engine. This occurred about 3 days after I had taken my car to the GM dealer for repairs covered by GM recall 14299, "unintended ignition key rotation". my key did not rotate. Yesterday April 2, 2015 when driving 45 mph on a state highway, the engine stopped again without hitting any bumps. I was able to coast, put the car in neutral, and restart the engine, before the car behind me could hit me. There was no shoulder to pull off.again there was no key rotation. I called my GM dealer after the first occurrence and was told I would have to pay for a new ignition switch or what ever was causing the problem. The recall only removed all other keys from the ignition key ring. This is a very dangerous defect that GM needs another recall to fix this sudden engine and electrical system shut down because if there is a crash the air bags will not deploy. Also lost of power steering and power brakes makes control of the car very difficult.

- Carriere, MS, USA

problem #11

Jul 192012

DeVille 8-cyl

  • 900,000 miles
Notified last summer (2014) about recall...in September (2014) notified to schedule an appointment for the repair...have called the local dealer several times....dealer does not have the necessary materials to correct the problem. Have experienced several times the ignition turning off....(the reason for the recall)...fortunately have not had an accident. What is holding up the repairs" why send a letter instructing us to now get it repaired when the local dealer does not have the materials needed" very frustrating!!!!

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #10

Aug 192014

DeVille 8-cyl

  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the check engine and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the driver side air bag inflator module and the throttle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 01/22/15 updated 8/31/2017

- Avon, MA, USA

problem #9

Mar 112014

DeVille

  • 174,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and required a jump to be restarted. Also, the contact stated that the key failed to enter the ignition and the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred multiple times. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.

- San Francisco , CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 182014

DeVille

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. While driving approximately 45 mph, the temperature warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that there was a blown head gasket, which caused internal damage to the engine. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #7

Mar 012014

DeVille

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The problem recurred multiple times. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign: 14V355000 (electrical system). However, the parts were unavailable to service the vehicle under the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Glassport, PA, USA

problem #6

Sep 012014

DeVille

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and jaw injuries and the other two passengers sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system); however, the parts needed for the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Detroit , MI, USA

problem #5

Aug 212014

DeVille 8-cyl

  • 50,150 miles
I was driving at approximately 60 mhp on I77 North - without notice of any kind it became very difficult to steer my vehicle and I lost control as well as all power & acceleration. All of this happened so fast but I looked down and noticed several dash board/warning lights on. These lights normally only go on for a second or so when starting the car. Having no power or acceleration I was able to navigate my car to the side of the road with out an accident but immediately noticed that my ignition was already turned off. The ignition key was not all the off - just in the position as if I was parked and wanted to listen to the radio. Once pulled over I placed the car in "park" turned the key all the way off and restarted the car. It started right up. However, now both my "service engine soon light" and "air bag" light stays illuminated at all times. They do not go out once the car is started. I am not able to notice any difference in the performance or handling at this time but am concerned with the lights remaining on at all times when driving as well as the safety of the air bags.

- Belmont, NC, USA

problem #4

Nov 242011

DeVille 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/02/14 updated 03/3/2015

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #3

Jul 292014

DeVille 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Engine shuts off without warning, sometimes when stopped and/or while moving.this has happened about 4 times in the last year. Suspect a defect ignition switch and/or a crankshaft position sensor.

- Town Of Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #2

Mar 232014

DeVille 8-cyl

  • 19,000 miles
The engine turned off and I lost power steering and power brakes. The engine restarted ok after the incident.

- Seymour, IN, USA

problem #1

Aug 052013

DeVille

  • 96,100 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated while driving 55 mph. The engine warning light was illuminated at the time the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the engine intake air flow. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer for a second diagnostic, which located the failure at the intake air plenum. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,100 and the approximate current mileage was 200,000.

- Normal, IL, USA

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