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Research · Large Cars

2001 Cadillac DevilleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 177 owner complaints for the 2001 Cadillac Deville. Most complaints involve electrical system (44) and engine and engine cooling (37). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2014
Owner complaints
177
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jun 23, 2014NHTSA 14V355000

Seat belts: retractor

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER LAP AND/OR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS THAT MAY NOT REMAIN LOCKED UP AS DESIGNED DURING A CRASH IN WHICH THE BELT PRETENSIONERS DEPLOY.

Seat beltsReported Sep 5, 2002NHTSA 02V227000

Structure: body

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SEDANS, HEARSE, AND LIMOUSINE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THESE VEHICLES HAVE SUNVISOR CENTER SUPPORTS WITH CERTAIN RADII LESS THAN THE 3.2MM REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

StructureReported May 23, 2001NHTSA 01V172000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

177 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2001 – Sep 2025
  1. Electrical system44
  2. Engine and engine cooling37
  3. Air bags19
  4. Steering17
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  6. Engine14
  7. Visibility14
  8. Seat belts9
  9. Vehicle speed control8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Deville model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996225
1997280
1998242
1999192
2000237
2001177
2002182
2003148
2004174
2005104
Crashes reported
23
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

44 reports4 crashes2 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 1990 Cadillac Brougham. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer on eBay on 05/15/2025. The vehicle was shipped to the contact. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the Sales Agreement and the odometer indicated the mileage was 46,260. In addition, the contact stated that the Sales Advertisement indicated that the mileage was 46,260. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service. The contact was informed of several needed repairs. The contact then became suspicious of the odometer. The contact later acquired a Carfax report. The Carfax report indicated that in 2016 the vehicle received an Emissions Test, and the odometer reading was reported as 125,041. The contact then took the vehicle to Pep Boys, where it was confirmed that the odometer had been rolled back. The dealer was contacted several times, and the dealer was made aware of the odometer discrepancy. In addition, the dealer was made aware of the funds that the contact had invested in the vehicle for the repairs. The contact requested that all funds be returned, and the dealer take the vehicle back. The dealer ended communications.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2025Electrical systemODI 11685975

Engine and engine cooling

37 reports1 crash2 fires
“2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN PARK. *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED, FOR NO REASON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE, THE BELT TENSIONER AND CRANK AND OIL SENSORS. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lightingODI 10638947

Air bags

19 reports14 crashes
“THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY FALLING DOWN IN TO YOUR LEGS AND FEET. I HAD A LARGE PIECE FALL ON MY LEGS AND FEET WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY WORK DONE ON THE CAR WHERE THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD. THERE ARE PIECES OF BLACK PLASTIC THAT FALL OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AREA ALL THE TIME. I HAVE HAD TO TAPE THE LIGHT SWITCHES INTO PLACE WITH DUCT TAPE. AND THE RADIO AND A/C CONTROL AREA I HAVE PROPED UP WITH A SHELF BRACKET TO TRY AND HOLD IT IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A COUNTY ROAD WHEN THE LARGE PIECE FELL DOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2019Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11218884
All 2001 Deville problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
DeVille
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152518$4,400494
  • DeVille
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 25 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Cadillac Deville as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4202
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Deville questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Cadillac Deville have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Cadillac Deville problems?

Owners filed 177 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (44), engine and engine cooling (37), air bags (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Cadillac Deville get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Cadillac Deville at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026