Problems · by component

2001 Cadillac Deville electrical system problems

44 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Cadillac Deville cite electrical system, 25% of all 177 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
44
25% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE "CHECK SERVICE AIR LEVELING SYSTEM" AND "BATTERY CHARGING" WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2018Steering, Electrical systemODI 11130239
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED AFTER THE INITIAL ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO STALL AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2015Electrical systemODI 10795113
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER MANIPULATING THE WIRING HARNESS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2015Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 10780467
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD INSTALL TWO KEY RINGS AND AN INSERT IN THE KEY SLOT OR A COVER OVER A KEY HEAD ON ALL IGNITION KEYS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2015Electrical systemODI 10780215

Showing 6 of 44 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026

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

Other 2001 Deville problem areas