VehicleVerdict

2003 Cadillac Deville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 208 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Deville year — the 2003 model ranks #9 of 34 Deville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 57 reports (27% of the total).

208

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Deville years?

See all Deville years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Cadillac Deville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5727%
Engine2613%
Airbags2613%
Brakes168%
Transmission147%
Steering126%
Fuel System126%
Visibility & Wipers115%
Other94%
Speed Control73%
Body & Structure63%
Tires & Wheels52%
Suspension31%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting10%
Seats10%

Does the 2003 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

03V238000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 2003 · 102,212 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

03V051000AirbagsFebruary 14, 2003 · 130 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

02V222000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 133,221 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE LUNGED FORWARD IN HIS GARAGE AND CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE GARAGE. *MW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, A DAY AFTER ACCIDENT. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 8, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 30, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND JAW INJURIES AND THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 1, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 15, 2014 · crash

TL* 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 7, 2014 · crash

2003 Cadillac Deville — common questions

Is the 2003 Cadillac Deville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 208 complaints put the 2003 model at #9 of 34 Deville years. It is one of the Deville years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Deville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (57 complaints), engine (26 complaints), airbags (26 complaints).

Does the 2003 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Cadillac Deville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac Deville years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Deville years to avoid are 1997, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003, 1995, 1994, 1992, 2005, 1993, 1990, 1991. The cleanest record among Deville years belongs to 1972.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.