RoadVitals

2005 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.
29
Latest Jan 24, 2019
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.
31%
of 95 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

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 2005 Cadillac Deville submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 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

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Jan 24, 2019

WHEN YOU DRIVE THRU A PUDDLE OF WATER THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WORKS LIKE NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11171889
Incident
Jan 24, 2019
Mileage
86,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TURN. THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
11020729
Incident
Aug 23, 2017
Mileage
105,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 27, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE OVER A CURB, AND INTO A FIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES NOR WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10822628
Incident
Jan 25, 2016
Mileage
170,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH ON A WET ROAD, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ID
10760256
Incident
Aug 31, 2015
Mileage
99,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 6, 2015

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT A FEW WEEKS BUT ABOUT FIVE TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN. IT RETURNS IN SECONDS BUT I AM DISABLED AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO CONTROL THE CAR. LUCKILY, THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS. I'M AFRAID OF BEING KILLED. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, DO FOLKS HAVE TO DIE BEFORE GM FIXES THE PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID
10746637
Incident
Jun 30, 2015
Mileage
97,500 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,503.

NHTSA ID
10659032
Incident
Nov 4, 2014
Mileage
87,503 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 6, 2014

I TOOK MY CADILLAC IN FOR A RECALL ON MY KEYS. THEN THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MY CAR AND TOLD ME I HAVE A BADLY WORN RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,000. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT HAVE NOT HAD A SECOND OPINION. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS?? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10653084
Incident
Oct 3, 2013
Mileage
63,567 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, EXTREME FORCE WAS REQUIRED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10650841
Incident
Aug 4, 2014
Mileage
78,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Oct 6, 2014

VEHICLE CUTS OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR IGNITION CUTS OFF ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WHEN THE CAR HITS A BUMP, RAILROAD TRACK, OR POTHOLE. BUMPING THE COLUMN COVER WILL ALSO CUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE KEY MODIFICATION WHICH WOULD APPEAR TO HAVE NO AFFECT ON THE PROBLEM OF THE IGNITION RANDOMLY ROTATING OUT OF THE ON POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10641861
Incident
Aug 2, 2014
Mileage
204,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Sep 16, 2014

LOSS CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKES ON 4 SEPT AND 7 SEPT 2014, AT INTERSECTION OF MAHAN DRIVE AND WARDEN ROAD; THE VEHICLE STOPPED BY CURB OF THE STREET, ALL TRAFFIC STOPPED. RE-START ENGINE. LUCK WAS ON MY SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633630
Incident
Sep 4, 2014
Mileage
184,345 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 29, 2014

WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN ON WET ROADWAY (NOT A PUDDLE OF WATER) OR TRYING TO TURN AT A LIGHT FOR INSTANCE WHILE IT IS RAINING, EVEN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE POWER STEERING LOCKS AND THE CAR WILL NOT CONTINUE TO TURN, CAUSING TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU TO COME TO A SCREECHING HALT.AFTER STOPPING THE STEERING WILL SLOWLY LOOSENS UP ALLOWING YOU TO COMPLETE THE TURN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT WITH MY REPAIR GARAGE BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. SINCE I AM AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING I'M VERY CAREFUL WHEN MAKING A TURN IN THE RAIN. I'M THANKFUL I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE DOING 60. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629394
Incident
Aug 4, 2014
Mileage
89,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO INSERT INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH WHO REBUILT THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,808.

NHTSA ID
10629135
Incident
Mar 29, 2014
Mileage
111,808 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2014
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ID
10626086
Incident
Jun 18, 2014
Mileage
47,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 22, 2014

INTERMITTENT -HAS HAPPENING MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES OVER THE YEARS- WHILE NEGOTIATING A TURN WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET (RAINING OR SHORTLY AFTER RAINSTORM) THE POWER STEERING FREEZES UP FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. PANIC SETS IN IF ON THE ROAD (AS OPPOSED TO A PARKING LOT) BECAUSE ONE BECOMES POWERLESS TO AVOID ONCOMING DANGER AND FEARFUL THAT STALLED POSITION OF VEHICLE (1/2 WAY THROUGH A TURN) MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT FOR OTHERS. WANT TO KNOW CAUSE!!! WANT TO KNOW REMEDY!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10605029
Incident
Jun 30, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jun 20, 2014

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,071. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ THE IGNITION CASE AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 1/13/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10604757
Incident
Jun 4, 2014
Mileage
97,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 20, 2013

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A STORE CAR I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. THE STEERING IMMEDIATELY FROZE AND THE BELT BEGAN TO SQUEAL. THE STEERING CAME BACK WITHIN 10 SECONDS BUT FOR THE TEN SECONDS I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. THIS IS ABOUT THE 10TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I KEEP GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY PUT ON BELT DRESSING BUT IT DOES NOT HELP. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE 2005 DEVILLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10536422
Incident
Aug 10, 2013
Mileage
87,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 8, 2013

DRIVING IN RAIN AND POWER STEERING FROZE UP FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523821
Incident
Jul 8, 2013
Mileage
49,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 5, 2013

I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER A DRIVING RAIN. THE CAR MADE A SCREECHING SOUND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO TURN RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THEREFORE I DO NOT DRIVE IN THE RAIN. ALSO THE PROBLEM PERSISTS EVEN AFTER THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED SECONDARY TO A LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523218
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 11, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN

NHTSA ID
10475048
Incident
May 9, 2012
Mileage
78,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 17, 2012

DURING HEAVY RAIN OR DRIVING THROUGH WATER THE STEERING COMPLETELY GOES OUT. SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME TODAY....ALMOST HIT BY A LOG TRUCK WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD. OCT 2011 I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD OTHER SUCH COMPLAINTS, BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED? I SAW THE SAME THING HAPPEN A YEAR OR SO AGO TO AN ELDERLY LADY TURNING INTO OUR NEIGBBORHOOD IN HER CADILLAC DEVILLE...SHE JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY 2 LANE ROAD...LUCKILY SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE AT THE INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WERE ABLE TO START THE CAR AND PUSH IT TO SAFETY. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT THE TIME UNTIL THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME...AND I REMEMBER THAT THE DAY IT HAPPENED TO MY NEIGHBOR IT WAS ALSO RAINING. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BY GM ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED! NOW I NEVER DRIVE MY CAR WHEN IT'S RAINING AND IF IT HAPPENS TO RAIN WHILE I'M OUT MY NERVES ARE COMPLETELY SHOT! I'D LIKE TO GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT I COULD NOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE PASS THIS VEHICLE ONTO ANOTHER PERSON KNOWING WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE STEERING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10471243
Incident
Aug 17, 2012
Mileage
60,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 13, 2012

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, SHIFTED TO DRIVE, BEGAN DRIVING ON MY STREET AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF AND THE CAR HIT THE GROUND. THE DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE. HAD I BEEN ON THE FREEWAY, THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT WITH INJURY AND OR DEATH TO MANY PEOPLE. OEM BALL JOINTS, ESPECIALLY ON AN EXPENSIVE CAR LIKE A CADILLAC DEVILLE, SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME OR THE SAME LIFE EXPECTANCY AS THE OTHER MAJOR COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE FRAME. IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT (INFERIOR METAL STRENGTH AND QUALITY) FOR A BALL JOINT ON A CADILLAC TO "BREAK" FOR NO REASON. IT SHOULD BE FORBIDDEN AND PUNITIVE FOR A BALLJOINT ON A CADILLAC TO BREAK BEFORE 300,000 MILES. WHY SHOULD CONSUMERS BE FORCED TO PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH THEIR LIVES???? A GOOD QUALITY PRODUCT THAT IS PERMANENTLY LUBED AS IN THE CADILLAC LINE, SHOULD BE RELIABLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. ANYTHING ELSE IS THE SAME AS ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SHOULD BE FORBIDDEN OR PUNISHED. THE PUBLIC MUST BE PROTECTED FROM THIS TYPE OF SUICIDAL JOURNEY IN A REASONABLY NEW VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10470471
Incident
Aug 12, 2012
Mileage
108,400 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 14, 2011

STEERING WILL LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER. UNABLE TO STEER RIGHT OR LEFT, CAN ONLY STEER STRAIGHT AHEAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS. THEN STEERING WILL RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS ANY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THROUGH STANDING WATER AT ANY SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435474
Incident
Sep 26, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 8, 2011

IN THE PAST MONTH POWER STEERING HAS FAILED IN WET WEATHER 7-8 TIMES. TO DATE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING OFF CITY STREETS, BUT I AM TERRIFIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WILL BE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE STEERING RE-ENGAGES WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. IT ALSO RE-ENGAGES AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS IF THE IGNITION REMAINS ON. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED HAPPENING, BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERYTIME IT HAS RAINED. I CONTACTED CADILLAC AND THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION OR RECALLS DESPITE WHAT I FOUND (ON AN INTERNET SEARCH) TO BE A PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THIS MODEL FOR YEARS 2003-2005. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED? I TRANSPORT MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN DAILY IN WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A LARGE "SAFE" CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. BASICALLY, I FEEL THAT WE CAN NO LONGER SAFELY DRIVE THIS CAR IN WET WEATHER AND WE LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE WE CAN'T ALWAYS PREDICT IF AND WHEN IT WILL RAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10429192
Incident
Sep 5, 2011
Mileage
75,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 25, 2011

TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER PUDDLES. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS, THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL. DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE. REPORTS SPLASH SHIELD INTACT, DRIVE BELT IS NOT DEGRADED AND HAS PROPER TENSION TO POWER STEERING PUMP. BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10408876
Incident
Jun 15, 2011
Mileage
48,280 mi
Steering
Filed May 7, 2010

I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR AND PARKED IT OUTSIDE. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER, I LOST POWER STEERING FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN TURNING THE CORNER. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEPTEMBER 2009, JANUARY 2010, MARCH 2010 AND MAY 2010 WHEN I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP REPLACED A PULLEY ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN MARCH 2010 AND WE STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS INADVERTENTLY AND IT SEEMS LIKE AFTER WE HAD RAIN. THE CADILLAC IS GARAGE KEPT. UPDATED 06/29/10*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
10329263
Incident
May 4, 2010
Mileage
56,101 mi

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 on this page last refreshed .