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Research · Large Cars

2004 Cadillac DevilleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 174 owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Deville. Most complaints involve electrical system (49) and steering (37). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2014
Owner complaints
174
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

174 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2004 – May 2026
  1. Electrical system49
  2. Steering37
  3. Visibility30
  4. Air bags26
  5. Engine18
  6. Power train7
  7. Service brakes5
  8. Engine and engine cooling5
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)3

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
14
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
15
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

49 reports2 crashes2 fires
“CAR WILL NOT START WHEN I TURN THE KEY CHECKED THE FUSES ALL GOOD CHECK THE BATTERY GOOD. THEN IT STARTED NEXT DAY DROVE HOME FROM WORK AND POWER TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET POWER STEERING STARTED TO LOCK AS I MANAGED TO PULL OFF IN TO A PARKING LOT. STARTED ONCE AGAIN, MADE IT HOME. NEXT DAY WAS ABLE TO STARD VEHICLE DROVE TO WORK, ONCE IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO HEAD HOME TRIED STARTING CAR AND NOTHING NOTHING I CAN OPEN TRUNK WITH KEY FOB CAN'T OPEN GAS TANK DOOR FROM INSIDE MANUALLY. MY CAR IS SAYING AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY. ALSO I HAVE A CONSISTENT SQUEAK ING/GRINDING ON THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2020Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11322216

Steering

37 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving on a mountain at a slow speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,331.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2021SteeringODI 11425814

Visibility

30 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE METAL FRAME AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROTH CADILLAC (5711 PEACH ST, ERIE, PA 16509) AND THE SUN ROOF WAS REPLACED TWICE WITH PLEXIGLASS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT SUN ROOF GLASS COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2021VisibilityODI 11415926
All 2004 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

2 versions 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
162419$3,400468
DeVille
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, STS/DTS · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400468
  • DeVille
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • DeVille
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, STS/DTS
    16 city · 24 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 2004 Cadillac Deville as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 1328
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

2004 Deville questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac Deville have?

1 safety recall 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 2004 Cadillac Deville problems?

Owners filed 174 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (49), steering (37), visibility (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Cadillac Deville get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Cadillac Deville at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026