Problems · NHTSA complaints
2003 Cadillac Deville problems
Owners filed 148 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac Deville with NHTSA between Nov 2002 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (52).
Complaints
148
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system52
- Air bags25
- Engine16
- Power train14
- Steering12
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Visibility10
- Service brakes, hydraulic8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Service brakes6
- Structure6
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Suspension4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
11
11
3
4
8
3
5
8
3
2
10
45
17
3
1
3
3
4
1
0
0
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 45 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
52 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the ignition switch seized. Occasionally, the contact was able to wiggle the switch for the ignition to operate. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn or operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was able to replace the ignition switch on three or four occasions. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.”
Air bags
25 reports9 crashes2 related recalls
“BACK ON JULY 16TH 2019, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN ABOUT TO GET A ON THE MAIN ROAD. WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED IN MY 03 CADILLAC DEVILLE. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO HAVING WHIPLASH/NERVE DAMAGE. AS PER MYSELF, NOW I HAVE LOWER BACK ISSUES.”
Engine
16 reports1 crash
“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.”
Power train
14 reports1 crash
“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”
Steering
12 reports2 crashes
“FUEL LEVEL SENSOR STOPPED WORKING , ALSO AFTER I GOTTEN MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND MY FRONT MOTOR MOUNT PLACED IN THE CAR NO LONGER CRANKS LIKE NORMAL . TAKES A WHILE TO TURN OVER, KEY SLIDES OUT , STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHILE DURING AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS IN THE OTHER DIRECTION WHILE TURNING . THE POWER STEERING HAS A LEAK AND ALSO THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION HAS STOPPED WORKING LOWERED THE CAR AND SHOCKS HAVE LOWERED . NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V355000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 03V238”
Engine and engine cooling
10 reports
“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”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.