RoadVitals

2002 Cadillac Deville Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Apr 7, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
15%
of 176 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Cadillac Deville submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 7, 2025
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a tree. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage, but no air bag had deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11653218
Incident
Mar 25, 2025
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 2, 2021

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN THE HORN SOUNDED EXTREMELY LOUD AND WOULD NOT STOP I COULD NOT STOP IT SO I TOOK IT TO SHOP. THE DEALER SAYS THAT AIRBAG SHORTED OUT AND SHORTED OUT THE HORN. THEY WANT TO REPLACE AIRBAG AND HORN AT A COST OF $1109 WAS THIS AIRBAG RECALLED?

NHTSA ID
11394334
Incident
Jan 12, 2021
Mileage
164,000 mi
AirbagsEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 9, 2019

TAKATA AIR BAG, DO NOT KNOW IF THAT ITEM IS IN MY CAR BUT THEY SAY IT IS. ALSO LIKE SO MANY NORTHSTAR ENGINES THERE IS TROUBLE WITH THE HEAD GASKET, AND ACCORDING TO THE HYDROCARBON BLOCK TEST, MINE MUST BE REPLACED. IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT, THE ENGINE AND POWER TRAIN MUST BE REMOVED, AT MY EXPENSE. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, MY CAR CONTINUES TO TRY AND OVERHEAT AFTER ABOUT 29 MILES OF DRIVING. AFTER LISTENING TO THOSE FOLKS ON THE CADILLAC FORUM, I HAVE BEEN LEAD TO BELIEVE, THE OVERHEATING ISSUE MAY BE, PARTLY THE FAULT OF THE FINE THREAD HEAD BOLTS AND OR STUDS. MANY MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAVE SAID THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE, ALTHOUGH THE FOLKS ON THE CADILLAC FOURM HAVE SAID THAT TIME-SERTS, OR THE LARGER STUDS/BOLTS MIGHT FIX THE ISSUE. NEVER THE LESS, WITH EACH CADILLAC DEVILLE DHS WITH THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE I READ ABOUT, THE SAME ISSUE EXISTS FOR ALMOST ALL OF THEM, WHICH INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF POSSIBLY NOT USING A LARGE ENOUGH BOLT/STUD TO BEGIN WITH. EITHER THAT OR CADILLAC MAY HAVE HAD A PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE TYPE THING TO GET THE DRIVERS TO KEEP REPLACING THEIR AUTOMOBILES. AND THEY SAY RECALLS ARE NOT COVERING THIS DESIGN FLAW....

NHTSA ID
11242844
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jan 7, 2019

WELL I NOTICE THAT SOME TIME THE KEY WORKS AND SOME TIME IT DONT. THE SEAT BELT GET STUCK SOME TIME AND I JUST FOYND OUT THE CAR HAD RECALLS

NHTSA ID
11165012
Incident
Dec 10, 2018
Mileage
192,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jan 27, 2017

WARNING LIGHTS,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON,STERING BAD.AIRBAG LIGHT ON OFF.CHECK RECALL THERE ARE 5.THE CAR WAS IN MOTION,HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID
10947986
Incident
Dec 8, 2016
Mileage
99,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Apr 28, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

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 ID
10862037
Incident
May 13, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 24, 2016

I GOT INTO MY CAR AT WORK TO GO TO A BUSINESS. I INSERTED THE KEY AND STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH DEPLOYED BREAKING THE DASH AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN MY COMPANY'S PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID
10851415
Incident
Mar 24, 2016
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 1, 2015

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM BROTHER 7 MONTHS AGO. AIRBAG WARNING WILL NOT GO OFF. GROUND WIRE DEFECT DEC. 2014 AND DEALERSHIP REPAIR SAME. THEY INDICATED EVERYTHING CLEARED OUT; HOWEVER, WHEN I LEFT DEALERSHIP PROBLEM STILL EXIST FOR AIRBAG. I HAVE ASKED ABOUT ANY RECALL BUT THEY DID NOT INDICATE ANY. THE GROUND WIRE REPAIR RESTORED ALL OTHER MALFUNCTIONS ON DASH BUT AIR BAG STILL ON. THEY DID INDICATE LOW VOLTAGE TO AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP VERY NICE BUT I AM STILL VERY NERVOUS OVER AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON. REPAIR INVOICE [XXX] / DICK SHIRLEY DEALERSHIP BURLINGTON,NC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10680318
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID
10679697
Incident
Dec 4, 2014
Mileage
84,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER RESET THE AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ID
10638697
Incident
Sep 9, 2013
Mileage
77,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Sep 16, 2014

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 ID
10633648
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
Mileage
35,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 21, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FRONT BUMPER AND GRILL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10627187
Incident
May 14, 2014
Mileage
240,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 23, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE DHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 6 MPH AND TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10452757
Incident
Dec 15, 2011
Mileage
67,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 28, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONCIUSNESS WHILE DRIVING AT 5O MPH AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, A STOP SIGN AND A CEMENT PILLAR. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS BELTED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,500. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA ID
10183784
Incident
Sep 4, 2006
Mileage
16,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 20, 2006

UPON START UP 2002 DEVILLE COMPUTER CHECK OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT CLEAR. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10161549
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
AirbagsElectricalVisibility
Filed Jun 30, 2005

1. (A) MY CADILLAC (DHS-2002) OPERATES IN A DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE MANNER THAT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED NO LESS THAN 16 TIMES TO FIX EQUIPMENT FAILURES, INCLUDING THOSE WHICH COULD BE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES, TO NO AVAIL. (B) THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THOUGH THE BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. (C) THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHEN MAKING TURNS. 2. (A) MY VEHICLE CONTAINS "AUTOMATIC RAIN SENSORS" FOR ITS WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WIPERS COME ON VIOLENTLY (HIGHEST LEVEL), EVEN WHEN NOT TURNED ON, AND THOUGH IT IS NOT RAINING. THE DANGER IS SUDDEN DISTRACTION, WHICH COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC AND IN OTHER DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS. THEY ALSO COME ON SUDDENLY WHEN PASSING RADIO TOWERS. THE DATE SET FORTH BELOW IS THE FIRST INCIDENT; IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. (B) THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CREATES FEAR IN THE DRIVER, AS WE ARE UNSURE AS TO IF AND WHEN THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. IF IT WHERE TO DEPLOY ERRONEOUSLY WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. (C) ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE MAKING TURNS IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 3. (A) I HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER FOR SERVICE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOR HAS ANY REPAIR BEEN EFFECTED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE, AND I SUSPECT THAT IT AFFECTS ALL CADILLACS SIMILARLY EQUIPPED. (B) THE AIRBAGS WHERE REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHICH HAS, AS LEAST TEMPORARILY, SOLVED THE PROBLEM. (C) ON TWO OCCASIONS, SENSORS WERE REPLACED WHICH WHERE ALLEGEDLY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM (LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS 5/25/05) THE FOREGOING REPRESENT CRITICAL ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS. THE INABILITY OF GM TO RESOLVE THE AUTOMATIC WIPER ISSUE, TOGETHER WITH MULTIPLE REPAIRS OF OTHER SENSORS THAT CAUSED MAJOR SYSTEM FAILURES REQUIRES INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10127138
Incident
Jul 15, 2002
Mileage
8,687 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceEngine+2 more
Filed Jul 19, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND AIR BAG LIGHT.*MR THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ON THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LIT, OFTEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY BUT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNLESS THE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT TO THE DEALER. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10083414
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
AirbagsBrakes
Filed May 3, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD ALREADY CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT DEALER FAILED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072028
Incident
Apr 23, 2004
Airbags
Filed Mar 3, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE DIAGNOSTIC MODULE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10055418
Incident
Sep 25, 2002
Mileage
9,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 24, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT DIDN'T INFLATE. THE DRIVER WAS SEVERELY INJURED. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE NONE INFLATION OF THE SIDE AIRBAG. *AK

NHTSA ID
10056037
Incident
Sep 12, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 11, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

LTR RE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IN A 2002 CADILLAC SEVILLE INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2003. *LA THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THEY DID NOT INFLATE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10057938
Incident
Sep 12, 2003
Airbags
Filed Aug 18, 2003

WHEN DRIVING 75 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10034128
Incident
Aug 10, 2003
Airbags
Filed Apr 29, 2003

WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH THE VEHICLES SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017738
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIR BAG COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ID
8022022
Incident
Oct 12, 2002
Airbags
Filed Aug 26, 2002

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILUMMINATED, THE FVEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DAEALER WHO ORDER A NEW AIR BAG MODULE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 56 DAYS BECAUSE THE MODULE HAS NOT ARRIVED AT THE DEALER A D THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8017244
Incident
Aug 1, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .