← New search

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

Steering complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
10,000 miles · May 26, 2020
EngineSteering

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 I…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #11325916

180,000 miles · Apr 11, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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

NHTSA ODI #11320866

140,000 miles · Apr 28, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

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 C…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10862037

9,045 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,045.

NHTSA ODI #10668020

202,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE BRAKES SEIZED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE BRAKES SEIZED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.

NHTSA ODI #10663353

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. MAILED OUT 01/13/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10662886

72,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering

THE STEERING WHEEL IS VARY HARD TO TURN AND MAKE A HARD GRINDING NOISE. EXPERIENCED AN JARRING EVENT IN TRAFFIC AND THE CAR CUT OFF. NO BRAKING POWER. WHILE DRIVING THERE IS VARY LITTLE POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643249

35,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Air BagsSeatsSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL MOVED UP, DOWN, INWARDS AND OUTWARDS INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT INDEPENDENTLY MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL MOVED UP, DOWN, INWARDS AND OUTWARDS INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT INDEPENDENTLY MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10633648

400,000 miles · Sep 6, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

IM DESPERATE. ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE CAR CUTS OUT.THIS MORNING DOING 35MPG THE CAR WENT DEAD.NO STEERING---REALLY SCARY. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.CAD. ADMITS THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT HAVE THE PART. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME ANY ALTERNATIVE.PLEASE PLEASE SEE IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM …

Read full complaint

IM DESPERATE. ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE CAR CUTS OUT.THIS MORNING DOING 35MPG THE CAR WENT DEAD.NO STEERING---REALLY SCARY. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.CAD. ADMITS THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT HAVE THE PART. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME ANY ALTERNATIVE.PLEASE PLEASE SEE IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THIS IS MY SECOND ATTEMPT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631244

127,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK UP. UPDATED 8/10/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10626435

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.