RoadVitals

2002 Cadillac Deville Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
18
Latest May 26, 2020
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.
10%
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.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 18 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 steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineSteering
Filed May 26, 2020

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 ID
11325916
Incident
May 25, 2020
Mileage
10,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Apr 11, 2020
Crash reported

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 ID
11320866
Incident
Apr 8, 2020
Mileage
180,000 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
BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 23, 2014

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 ID
10668020
Incident
Dec 18, 2014
Mileage
9,045 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Dec 10, 2014

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 ID
10663353
Incident
Aug 28, 2014
Mileage
202,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 8, 2014

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 ID
10662886
Incident
Dec 7, 2014
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 8, 2014

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 ID
10643249
Incident
Jun 7, 2013
Mileage
72,000 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
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 6, 2014

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 ID
10631244
Incident
Sep 8, 2008
Mileage
400,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 19, 2014
Crash reported

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 ID
10626435
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
127,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER.THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10604554
Incident
Jun 18, 2014
Mileage
82,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 9, 2013

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE DANGEROUSLY FAILED PREMATURELY TWO TIMES IN 113,000 MILES. FAILED DANGEROUSLY AT 60,000 AND 113000 MILES. THIS RESULTED IN FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY (SHAKING STEERING WHEEL EXCESSIVELY) AT HIGH SPEEDS AND AT ALL TIMES WHEN BRAKING. FELT LIKE I WAS LOOSING BRAKES WHEN BRAKING DOWN A HILL. WHEN CAR IS JACKED UP WHEEL ROCKED BACK AND FORTH ABOUT 2 INCHES. SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON GM CARS THAT USE THE CARTRIDGE TYPE OF WHEEL HUB BEARING ASSEMBLIES AS INDICATED BY NUMEROUS POST ON THE INTERNET AND MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS AN AUTO MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10496943
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Interior & seatsSteering
Filed Jan 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PARKS HIS VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN SPORADICALLY LOCKS AND BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE CAUSED BY A PIN IN THE STEERING COLUMN, THE IGNITION, AND THE CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,343. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ THE FRONT DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN

NHTSA ID
10215350
Incident
Dec 13, 2004
Mileage
26,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS THE SPEED INCREASED, THE VIBRATION WORSENED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID
10207684
Incident
Jul 11, 2007
Mileage
46,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Apr 2, 2006
Crash reported

A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE DHS 4-DOOR SEDAN WAS ORIGINALLY PARKED HEAD-FIRST INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHEN THE DRIVER STARTED THE IGNITION, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THEN PUT THE VEHICLE INTO THE REVERSE GEAR "R", SLOWLY AND PARTIALLY RELEASING THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE MOVED BACK NORMALLY AS EXPECTED. AFTER ABOUT 15 FEET, THE DRIVER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO POSITION TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT. AT THAT MOMENT, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED UP, THE BRAKES FAILED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION, THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED (DRIVER'S ACTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAD NO IMPACTS ON THE ACTUAL MOTIONS OF THE FRONT WHEELS), AND A SIGNIFICANT "CLANKING" NOISE (AS IF SOME MAJOR COMPONENTS IN AND AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA HAD BEEN BROKEN) WAS CLEARLY NOTICEABLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER SCRATCHING THE SIDE OF ANOTHER PARKED 4-DOOR SEDAN AND SUBSEQUENTLY HITTING A SIGN POST ABOUT 35 FEET FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE COULD BE SEEN WITH ITS ENGINE COMPARTMENT LOWERED AND THE FENDERS "RESTED" ON AND TOUCHING THE FRONT WHEELS, AS IF THE FRONT AXLE HAD BROKEN. LOOSE BEARINGS / NUTS COULD BE FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154368
Incident
Mar 30, 2006
Mileage
32,000 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
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2003

THE HEADLIGHTS AND STEERING DID NOT WORK PROPERLY.*JB

NHTSA ID
10006970
SteeringVisibility
Filed Nov 13, 2001

LOUD INTERMITENT GRINDING NOISE HEAR WHEN STEERING TURNED WHEN BACKING OUTAND TURNING WHEEL CAR DRIVEN LESS THAN 100 MILES. AS CAR MILAGE INCREASES NOISE IS BECOMING MORE CONSTENT. WINDSHIELD THE RUBBER GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES IS INSTALLED ON TOP OF THE GLASS INSTEAD OF IN THE GROVES PROVIDED.THIS ALLOWS ROAD SALT AND OTHER DEBRIS TO ACCOMULATE AT BOTTOM CORNERS OF WINDSHIELD. THIS CAUSES A MESSEY APPEARANCE AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE CORROSION. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE WINDSHIELD MAY POP OUT DEGRADING THE BODY INTEGRITY. POOR ALIGNMENT. ALL POINTS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE REAR CAMBER COULD BE ADJUSTED TO SPECIFICATIONS EXCEPT THE REAR CAMBER.*AK

NHTSA ID
754482
Incident
Sep 26, 2001

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .