Illustration2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE [XXX]. YOU CAN PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND GM SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A CAR WHERE ONE CAN FORCE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Deville years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
1325–50K
2450–75K
1475–100K
23100–150K
11150K+
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING 10 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKES FAILED, BUT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. MECHANIC DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH FOUND NO ERRORS OR CODES. ALSO, MECHANIC KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR AG…
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WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKES FAILED, BUT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. MECHANIC DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH FOUND NO ERRORS OR CODES. ALSO, MECHANIC KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WAS FORCED INTO THE ROAD ALMOST HITTING A BEER TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT ACTIVATE. (THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON) *SC
THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS ARE TOO HIGH, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EXPERIENCE POOR VISIBILITY WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. *AK THE DRIVER VISOR DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH CLEARANCE TO VIEW THE HIGWAY WELL. (WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR SHORT) *SC
OUR 2003 CADILLAC DTS EXCIBITS A SEVERE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS , MANY ATTEMPTS BY GM AS WELL AS THE DEALER DID NOT CORRECT THIS CONDITION .*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FUEL LEVEL, AND COULD NOT INDICATE IN WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. ALSO, AIR BAG LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT/SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR, AND SERVICE TIRE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROB…
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INTERMITTENTLY INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FUEL LEVEL, AND COULD NOT INDICATE IN WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. ALSO, AIR BAG LIGHT/BATTERY LIGHT/SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR, AND SERVICE TIRE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECAL 03V238000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. DEALER DID NOT NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIR. THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.*AK
DRIVER'S SUN VISOR IS TOO LARGE. THE LARGE SUN VISOR IMPAIRS THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. DEALER STATES THAT THE LARGER SUN VISOR IS A NEW DESIGN FOR THE 2003 VEHICLES.*AK
WHILE BRAKING 20 MPH CONSUMER TEMPORALLY LOST BRAKE POWER FOR 20 SECONDS OR MORE. AS THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE BRAKE RESUMED, AND VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH POWER WINDOWS/ CLOSED UP HEAD IN WINDOW COULD CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO OTHERS. *MR *CB
Official recalls
414V355000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.