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2003 Cadillac Deville Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Cadillac Deville, most often about the electrical (36% of complaints, typically around 64,500 miles). It is 5th of 6 Deville model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Cadillac Deville problems
Electrical
52 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.
3 window regulators proven defective since owning 2003 Cadillac Deville. #1 drivers window on 9/17/08 done under warranty at 31,000 miles; #2 front passenger window done 11/13/10 @ 52,000 miles cost $356.00 at dealer; #3 drivers side rear passenger window regulator on 6/8/11 @60,000 milesreplaced-cost $502.00…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure…
Engine
26 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
After taking off from a stop sign, I drove up over about 1 1/2 inch vertical rise in the pavement (small bump). The engine and electrical systems shut down. I lost power stirring and power brakes. I got stopped and restarted the engine. This occurred about 3 days after I had taken my car to the gm dealer for repairs…
2003 Cadillac Deville with approx. 65,900 miles on 07/11/07. The "service engine soon" warning light appeared on vehicle control panel & took vehicle to dealership same date 07/11/07. Dealer performed oil change & informed that entire transmission is about to fail & quoted $4,027.00 for repairs. Dealer refused to…
Air bags
25 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and the brake pedal stiffened. In addition, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle crashed into a steel dumpster. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The driver was injured and required medical…
Son was in car seat in left rear of vehicle and was driving and son called out to me that his seat belt came off. Had to pull over and and switch side of the car he was on the seat belt buckle was broken off . Went to the dealer for that and airbag light going on and off intermintently so dealer told me it was a…
Brakes
16 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. In october of 2008, after being parked for approximately twenty minutes, the vehicle rolled backwards into a parked vehicle. There was no prior warning of brake failure and no injuries. Three weeks ago, the vehicle disappeared after being parked for an hour. The contact…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact indicated that the ABS sensor, brake sensor and traction control sensor illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the brakes failed and the pedal sank into the floor. The contact mentioned that the vehicle rolled away…
Transmission
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I own a 2003 Cadillac Deville with 70,700 miles. The "service engine soon" warning light appeared on vehicle control panel february 1, 2007. Local car repair technician identified and cleared warning code. Suggested I take to Cadillac dealer if the warning light reappeared. Warning light came on again wed, february 7…
2003 Cadillac Deville with approx. 65,900 miles on 07/11/07. The "service engine soon" warning light appeared on vehicle control panel & took vehicle to dealership same date 07/11/07. Dealer performed oil change & informed that entire transmission is about to fail & quoted $4,027.00 for repairs. Dealer refused to…
Steering
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 109,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and the brake pedal stiffened. In addition, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle crashed into a steel dumpster. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The driver was injured and required medical…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. When the contact started the vehicle, it shook violently and the speed increased while driving. The dealer replaced the power steering pump, but the failure recurred. The vehicle continued to shake violently and the contact had to apply force to hold the steering wheel while…
Visibility and wipers
11 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices, glass, side/rear, sun/moon roof assembly.
3 window regulators proven defective since owning 2003 Cadillac Deville. #1 drivers window on 9/17/08 done under warranty at 31,000 miles; #2 front passenger window done 11/13/10 @ 52,000 miles cost $356.00 at dealer; #3 drivers side rear passenger window regulator on 6/8/11 @60,000 milesreplaced-cost $502.00…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the power windows are inoperative. As a consequence she is unable to control the operation of the window devices. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the window regulators needed to be replaced at an expense of $326.00…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, storage, delivery.
The wheel monitoring light continues to indicate a malfunction. The ignition switch slot prevents me from removing the key. To remove the ignition key, I have to manipulate the gear handle in order align the extraction of the key.
Cadillac, 2003, seville [] . April 11, driving in arizona when the automobile automatically began to surge forward, increasing speed up to 90 MPH. Brakes were immediately applied, and while constantly applying the brakes, the vehicle would not slow down. Finally, exit the interstate and shifted the vehicle into park.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Cadillac Deville recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on september 23, 2014. Owners may contact general motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet). Gm's number for this recall is 14299.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel system components can be damaged and fuel can leak from the vehicle when it is refueled. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank pressure sensor. Owner notification began on october 17, 2003. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Cadillac Deville
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Deville?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (52 complaints, typically around 64,500 miles); engine (26 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); air bags (25 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Deville have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Cadillac Deville?
- It is 5th of 6 Deville model years by number of complaints, with 145 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.