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Research · Large Cars

2002 Cadillac DevilleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 182 owner complaints for the 2002 Cadillac Deville. Most complaints involve electrical system (45) and air bags (26). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2014
Owner complaints
182
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Fuel system

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 1, 2003NHTSA 03V238000

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
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

182 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2001 – Apr 2025
  1. Electrical system45
  2. Air bags26
  3. Engine and engine cooling25
  4. Steering18
  5. Engine17
  6. Power train16
  7. Visibility15
  8. Vehicle speed control11
  9. Tires11

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
20
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
1
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

45 reports4 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a tree. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage, but no air bag had deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11653218

Air bags

26 reports8 crashes
“MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN THE HORN SOUNDED EXTREMELY LOUD AND WOULD NOT STOP I COULD NOT STOP IT SO I TOOK IT TO SHOP. THE DEALER SAYS THAT AIRBAG SHORTED OUT AND SHORTED OUT THE HORN. THEY WANT TO REPLACE AIRBAG AND HORN AT A COST OF $1109 WAS THIS AIRBAG RECALLED?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2021Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11394334

Engine and engine cooling

25 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INNER HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2014Engine and engine coolingODI 10627202
All 2002 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
Regular 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
162519$3,400468
  • DeVille
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    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 2002 Cadillac Deville as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4451
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

2002 Deville questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Cadillac Deville have?

5 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 2002 Cadillac Deville problems?

Owners filed 182 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (45), air bags (26), engine and engine cooling (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Cadillac Deville get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Cadillac Deville at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026