Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 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.
The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words
I tried to explain to the dealership that unaware of the recall my cars breaks had failed and crashed my vehicle. They said the only thing that was affected was the key. I had told her that the result of my crash was from my breaks not working due to the recall. She told me no that that wasnt affected. I just want my car to be safe on the road as i have kids, and family that ride with me regularly.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ARROWHEAD CADILLAC (8310 W BELL RD, GLENDALE, AZ 85308 (623) 455-6910) WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT VIN IS INVALID. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WAS HARD TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT A SECURITY MODULE FAILED AND THERE WAS A DISCONNECTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO VININGS ENTERPRISES INC. (904 N TENNESSEE ST, CARTERSVILLE, GA 30120, (770) 382-2007), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL MECHANICAL DEFECT ISSUES. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR LEAKED RESULTING IN A COOLANT LEAK, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE METAL BRACKETS HOLDING THE LEFT SIDE TANK HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED A CRACK IN THE LEFT RADIATOR TANK. THE ENGINE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK FROM THE LOWER CRANKCASE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE OIL LEAK CAUSED A DEFECTIVE DESIGN IN THE LOWER CRANK SHAFT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED TO PROPERLY REPAIR THE OIL LEAK. ALSO, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC FROM ONSTAR OF THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A MALFUNCTIONED AIRBAG. *JS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THESE ISSUES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONLY A $5,000 GIFT CARD WOULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE REIMBURSEMENT. *JS
MY ENGINE LEAKS OIL FROM THE SEALS. IT WAS ALWAYS DEALER MAINTAINED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH LOW MILEAGE. IT STARTED 3 YEARS AGO. I NOTICED YOU RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY ENGINE IS A V8. REGULAR OIL CHANGES ETC. IT CONTINUES TO LEAK. DEALER WANTS $2,500 TO FIX SEALS. THE WAY I DRIVE IT WITH LOW MILLAGE OF 60,000 MILES IT SHOULD NOT HAVE LEAKED. JUST READ ABOUT RECALL OF OTHER GM CARS ON 27 OCT. 2015.
AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN, I DROVE UP OVER ABOUT 1 1/2 INCH VERTICAL RISE IN THE PAVEMENT (SMALL BUMP). THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. I LOST POWER STIRRING AND POWER BRAKES. I GOT STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 3 DAYS AFTER I HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO THE GM DEALER FOR REPAIRS COVERED BY GM RECALL 14299, "UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION". MY KEY DID NOT ROTATE. YESTERDAY APRIL 2, 2015 WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH ON A STATE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN WITHOUT HITTING ANY BUMPS. I WAS ABLE TO COAST, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART THE ENGINE, BEFORE THE CAR BEHIND ME COULD HIT ME. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF.AGAIN THERE WAS NO KEY ROTATION. I CALLED MY GM DEALER AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW IGNITION SWITCH OR WHAT EVER WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE RECALL ONLY REMOVED ALL OTHER KEYS FROM THE IGNITION KEY RING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT GM NEEDS ANOTHER RECALL TO FIX THIS SUDDEN ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN BECAUSE IF THERE IS A CRASH THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. ALSO LOST OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES MAKES CONTROL OF THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT. *TR
NOTIFIED LAST SUMMER (2014) ABOUT RECALL...IN SEPTEMBER (2014) NOTIFIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIR...HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES....DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY MATERIALS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES THE IGNITION TURNING OFF....(THE REASON FOR THE RECALL)...FORTUNATELY HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT. WHAT IS HOLDING UP THE REPAIRS? WHY SEND A LETTER INSTRUCTING US TO NOW GET IT REPAIRED WHEN THE LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE MATERIALS NEEDED? VERY FRUSTRATING!!!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE AND THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 01/22/15*CN UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND REQUIRED A JUMP TO BE RESTARTED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO ENTER THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, WHICH CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED AT OTHER TIMES A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED THAT FLUID WAS NEEDED IN THE RADIATOR. THE FLUID HAD TO BE CHANGED FREQUENTLY BETWEEN 600-800 MILES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND JAW INJURIES AND THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MHP ON I77 NORTH - WITHOUT NOTICE OF ANY KIND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER MY VEHICLE AND I LOST CONTROL AS WELL AS ALL POWER & ACCELERATION. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED SO FAST BUT I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED SEVERAL DASH BOARD/WARNING LIGHTS ON. THESE LIGHTS NORMALLY ONLY GO ON FOR A SECOND OR SO WHEN STARTING THE CAR. HAVING NO POWER OR ACCELERATION I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH OUT AN ACCIDENT BUT IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT MY IGNITION WAS ALREADY TURNED OFF. THE IGNITION KEY WAS NOT ALL THE OFF - JUST IN THE POSITION AS IF I WAS PARKED AND WANTED TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO. ONCE PULLED OVER I PLACED THE CAR IN "PARK" TURNED THE KEY ALL THE WAY OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR. IT STARTED RIGHT UP. HOWEVER, NOW BOTH MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" AND "AIR BAG" LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THEY DO NOT GO OUT ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. I AM NOT ABLE TO NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OR HANDLING AT THIS TIME BUT AM CONCERNED WITH THE LIGHTS REMAINING ON AT ALL TIMES WHEN DRIVING AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF THE AIR BAGS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ UPDATED 03/3/2015 *JS
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED AND/OR WHILE MOVING.THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. SUSPECT A DEFECT IGNITION SWITCH AND/OR A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR
THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE ENGINE RESTARTED OK AFTER THE INCIDENT. *JS
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.
2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE DHS *GR THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND LEFT FRONT CALIPER HAD TO BE REPLACE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER WOULD STICK AND IT DIDN'T RELEASE PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE AND ROTOR TO WEAR. AFTER THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND STARTED DRIVING, SHE HEARD THE NEW BRAKES GRINDING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS TOLD AFTER MARKET PARTS HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON HER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED SHE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED ORIGINAL GM PARTS BE PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE BLOCK HALVES AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING OIL. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY DRIVING OUT OF THE MIDDLE LANE; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AT HIS OWN EXPENSE OF $328. THE CONTACT DOESN'T WANT TO ASSUME THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,836.
2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE WITH APPROX. 65,900 MILES ON 07/11/07. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON VEHICLE CONTROL PANEL & TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SAME DATE 07/11/07. DEALER PERFORMED OIL CHANGE & INFORMED THAT ENTIRE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO FAIL & QUOTED $4,027.00 FOR REPAIRS. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY PAST 50,000 MILES & INFORMED ENTIRE COST WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER. GM WAS CONTACTED & REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL OR REPAIR ASSISTANCE FOR DEFECT AND REPEATEDLY DELAYED ANY DECISION UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 08/02/07 (AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY CUSTOMER TO CONTACT/RESOLVE PROBLEM), OTHER THAN A $1,000.00 CUSTOMER LOYALTY CERTIFICATE TO BUY A NEW CAR ON APPROX 8/02/07. GM REPRESENTATIVE CALLED & RECORDED PHONE CONVERSATION WITH CUSTOMER WITHOUT CUSTOMER ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT ON 8/01/07 & 8/02/07. CUSTOMER HAD GONE TO DEALERSHIP (2ND TIME) & DEALER SERVICE MGR. REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY (IN PERSON) & STATED HE WILL NOT HELP & STATED HIS DISPLEASURE THAT GM WAS CONTACTED. CADILLAC WAS THEREFORE TAKEN TO AAMCO AT CADILLAC OWNER'S EXPENSE FOR COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. ANOTHER ISSUE, "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT" HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP ATTENTION (WHILE PREVIOUSLY UNDER WARRANTY) & TOLD US TO DISREGARD/NOT WORRY ABOUT IT APPROXIMATELY LAST THREE TIMES CAR WAS IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGES (OVER APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS). CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT ANY SAFETY ISSUE & TO DISREGARD "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT". ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED DUE TO ASSURANCE OF SAFETY FROM DEALERSHIP. *JB
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE FROM DAY ONE IF CHECKED CADLLIAC RECORDS, IT WILL INDICATE AS A BRAKES PROBLEM. 1 HAD 4 BRAKE JOBS DONE ON THE VEHICLE TO FIND OUT LATER THAT IT WAS NOT THE BRAKE, NOW THEY SAID IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARIING, WHICH SOUND THE SAME AS WHEN THEY TOLD ME BRAKES. THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION IN DELAWARE BECAUSE OF THE EMMISSIONS SYSTEM ,AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. I ASSUME CADILLAC FIXED THE PROBLEM TO FIND OUT LATER THEY NEVER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH CADILLAC WITH NO HELP, THEY GAVE ME A VOUCHER TOWARD A NEW VEHICLE WHICH WAS NOT GOING TO HELP ME WITH MY SITUATION . *AK BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BUY A VEHICLE THAT HAS PROBLEMS FROM THE DOOR,PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME TO GET MY PROBLEM RESOLVED, I'M TRYNG TO GET MY VEHICLE FIX , SO I CAN UPGRADE,
MY 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE WITH 7200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER OVER THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS HAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT DECELERATING ENGINE STALL. THIS CAR IS A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN, AS IT HAS STALLED OVER 30 TIMES. THIS CAR HAS HIGH ROLLING RESISTANCE, SO WHEN IT STALLS, IT COMES TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE DEALER SAYS HE CAN'T DUPLICATE THE STALL, AND THERE ARE NO COMPUTER ERROR CODES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. GET RID OF THE CAR? IF I DON'T USE THE NEW CAR WARRANTY, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE PARTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM
2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE ACT AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO STALL OR RUN OUT OF GAS. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN REPETATIVETHE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC
MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH 2003 CADILLAC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CRUISE CONTROL CEASED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPAIRED. *BF . THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HEAD LIGHTS EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON UNTIL ANOTHER HEAVY RAIN AND THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THAT WAS THE REASON THE CHECK COOLANT LEVEL READING WAS BEING DISPLAYED. *TC *JB
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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