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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
112,456 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I BOUGHT A 2003 DEVILLE THE FUEL PUMP STAYS ON CODE SAYS HIGH PRESSURE OR LOW FUEL PRESSER OR MULTI MISFIRE . AND SAYS CHECKLOW COOLANT WHICH IS FULL AND ALSO TIRE MONITOR . I WAS TOLD BUY THE PLACE I BOUGHT FROM TOLD ME THEIR WAS A RECALL / IM AFRAID IT WELL CATCH FIRE I HAVE KIDS./ LIKE TO KNOW IF THEIR IS ONE…

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I BOUGHT A 2003 DEVILLE THE FUEL PUMP STAYS ON CODE SAYS HIGH PRESSURE OR LOW FUEL PRESSER OR MULTI MISFIRE . AND SAYS CHECKLOW COOLANT WHICH IS FULL AND ALSO TIRE MONITOR . I WAS TOLD BUY THE PLACE I BOUGHT FROM TOLD ME THEIR WAS A RECALL / IM AFRAID IT WELL CATCH FIRE I HAVE KIDS./ LIKE TO KNOW IF THEIR IS ONE SO I CAN TAKE IT TO GET FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554455

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2013
Seats

2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE HEATED SEATS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT, THEY BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THERE WERE BURN MARKS LEFT ON THE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10541669

161,000 miles · Sep 3, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO REMAIN SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ODI #10538492

96,100 miles · Aug 13, 2013
Engine

TL* 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 …

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TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI #10535202

155,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND FAILED TO STOP WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND FAILED TO STOP WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523875

59,163 miles · Mar 22, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CONTINUALLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CONTINUALLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,163. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504129

130,000 miles · Jan 25, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPG AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SHIELD BECAME SMASHED DUE TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPG AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SHIELD BECAME SMASHED DUE TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10494726

135,000 miles · Jan 19, 2013
Service Brakes

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN PARKING SPACE, BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY (PEDAL TO THE FLOOR). HAD TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493488

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2013
Power Train

2003 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED, THE PORT CONVERTER CONTROL SOLENOID WAS STICKING. UPDATED 01/15/13

NHTSA ODI #10491041

40,000 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CAME DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE OTHER WINDOW…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CAME DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE OTHER WINDOWS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000...UPDATED 01/04/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. PRESENTLY, ONLY ONE WINDOW WORKS, WHICH IS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE OTHER THREE ARE BEING HELD UP WITH A PIECE OF PAPER STUCK IN THE CORNER. UPDATED 01/09/13

NHTSA ODI #10486537

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.