VehicleVerdict

2004 Cadillac Deville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 211 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median Deville year — the 2004 model ranks #8 of 34 Deville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 54 reports (26% of the total).

211

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Deville years?

Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted339 complaints1964: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 2 complaints1976: 4 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 4 complaints1979: 1 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 12 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 27 complaints1987: 52 complaints1988: 41 complaints1989: 66 complaints1990: 111 complaints1991: 105 complaints1992: 183 complaints1993: 123 complaints1994: 185 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 281 complaints1997: 339 complaints1998: 310 complaints1999: 239 complaints2000: 312 complaints2001: 239 complaints2002: 237 complaints2003: 208 complaints2004: 211 complaints2005: 132 complaints
Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Deville years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Cadillac Deville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5426%
Steering3718%
Visibility & Wipers3215%
Airbags2512%
Engine2210%
Brakes94%
Other73%
Transmission63%
Speed Control31%
Body & Structure31%
Fuel System31%
Seats31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Lighting21%
Latches & Locks10%
Suspension10%

Does the 2004 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT MOVED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TWO POWER SEAT FUSES. THE SAME DAY, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, A BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2015 · fire

“I VEERED RIGHT TO AVOID A VEHICLE WHO APPROACHED OVER THE CENTER YELLOW LINE, THE WHEEL LOCKED, AND I CRASHED OVER GUARDRAIL AND INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS NOT INJURED, AND DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I DID NOT KNOW MY VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 2, 2014 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT ROLLED DOWN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW, IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 15, 2008

“I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 385 WHEN A DEER FLEW OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WE HIT HEAD ON DESTROYING THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF IF THAT DEER WOULD HAVE FLOWN UP ON THE HOOD AND CAME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME. THE AIR BAG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 6, 2013 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SMOKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE COVER SEAL AND GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2014 · fire

2004 Cadillac Deville — common questions

Is the 2004 Cadillac Deville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 211 complaints put the 2004 model at #8 of 34 Deville years. It is one of the Deville years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Deville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (54 complaints), steering (37 complaints), visibility & wipers (32 complaints).

Does the 2004 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 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.