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2001 Cadillac Deville problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Cadillac Deville is engine and cooling, typically around 60,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Deville model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
70/100
Owner complaints
175
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
426
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 2001 Cadillac Deville problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Cadillac Deville

Stalling 31No deployment 10Brake failure 9Engine failure 8Power windows 8Check engine light 7Loss of power 5Power steering loss 5

Recalls 4

Electrical system: ignitionReported June 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 14V355000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: retractorReported September 5, 2002 · 269,169 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles contain driver and front passenger lap and/or shoulder belt retractors that may not remain locked up as designed during a crash in which the belt pretensioners deploy.
Risk
In such a crash, this could result in an increase in injury for that occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will install a retainer kit in the driver and passenger safety belt pretensioner. Owner notification began january 31, 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 cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006.

Recall number 02V227000 · Recall details

Structure: bodyReported May 23, 2001 · 47,560 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain sedans, hearse, and limousine vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." these vehicles have sunvisor center supports with certain radii less than the 3.2mm required by the standard.
Risk
Radii less than 3.2mm can increase the possibility of certain types of injuries, like lacerations, if an occupant contacts the support during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the sunvisor center supports with redesigned supports. Owner notification began november 28, 2001. 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 cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006.

Recall number 01V172000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: buckle assemblyReported October 30, 2000 · 116,682 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, hearse, and limousines. Some of these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." these vehicles have seat belts that may not meet the 30-pound push button release effort requirement of the standard.
Risk
High release efforts could make it more difficult for a crash victim to release the belt and exit the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the seat belts and, if necessary, modify the latch plates or replace the retractor. Dealers will also add "snap on" latch clips to eliminate the potential of inverted latch plate insertion. Owner notification is being conducted in phases. The first phase began may 29, 2001, and the second phase began july 6, 2001. 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 cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006.

Recall number 00V347000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2001 Cadillac Deville

Defect investigations

Failing seat belt bucklesOpened August 17, 2004, closed February 3, 2005

On august 17, 2004, odi opened an investigation based on two complaints and one insurance company report alleging driver and/or front passenger seatbelt unbuckling during crashes on model year (my) 2000 and 2001 cadillac deville sedans.on october 8, 2004, gm submitted data to odi related to the alleged defect for the subject vehicles.this data contained information about system design, system operation, seat belt buckle testing and consumer complaints.based on its analysis of the data, odi has determined that a safety-related defect trend has not been identified regarding specific allegations of unwanted seatbelt unbuckling during a crash.at this time, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancessee attached summary report

PE04060

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Cadillac Deville 426

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 426 bulletins for the 2001 Cadillac Deville

2001 Cadillac Deville fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylFWD152518

What 2001 Cadillac Deville owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Electrical · 125,041 miles · CA

Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 1990 Cadillac Brougham. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer on eBay on 05/15/2025. The vehicle was shipped to the contact. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the Sales Agreement and the odometer indicated the mileage was 46,260. In addition, the contact stated that the Sales Advertisement indicated that the mileage was 46,260. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service. The contact was informed of several needed repairs. The contact then became suspicious of the odometer. The contact later acquired a Carfax report. The Carfax report indicated that in 2016 the vehicle received an Emissions Test, and the odometer reading was reported as 125,041. The contact then took the vehicle to Pep Boys, where it was confirmed that the odometer had been rolled back. The dealer was contacted several times, and the dealer was made aware of the odometer discrepancy. In addition, the dealer was made aware of the funds that the contact had invested in the vehicle for the repairs. The contact requested that all funds be returned, and the dealer take the vehicle back. The dealer ended communications.

Filed Feb 6, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · SC

All light come on in engine

Filed Aug 27, 2019 · Body · DE

When I entered the car one day the dashboard had fallen without me knowing what had happened. I asked around to see if it was a way to fix it or if they had known anyone with the same problem. I use my vehicle to get back and forth to work and it's the only car I have but the condition of the car is getting worse and the dashboard is coming apart more.

Filed Jun 10, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 115,000 miles · FL

The dashboard is literally falling down in to your legs and feet. I had a large piece fall on my legs and feet while driving. I have never had any work done on the car where they have to remove the dashboard. There are pieces of black plastic that fall out of the dashboard area all the time. I have had to tape the light switches into place with duct tape. And the radio and A/C control area I have proped up with a shelf bracket to try and hold it in place. The vehicle was in motion on a county road when the large piece fell down.

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 90,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 cadillac deville. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving. In addition, the "check service air leveling system" and "battery charging" warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that it was difficult to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Engine · 103,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 cadillac deville. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle stalled, and the battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers for diagnostic testing, but a failure code could not be located. The contact spoke to an independent mechanic who informed her that the failure was due to the failure of the upper and lower crank shift position sensors, which caused the engine to stall. The sensors needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Airbags, Body · 78,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Was involved in a front end crash going 48mph and the drivers side air bag or any other air did not deploy. There was so much damage to the front end that the car was totaled a complete loss. I would like car to be inspected for faulty air bags and also front end for faulty equipment as did not hold up well with crash. This vehicle only had 78,000 miles and was in perfect condition prior to crash. I was told there was a recall on the airbags and with that much damage and speed they should of been deployed this is a major safety violation. I was driving east bound at 48 MPH car in front slammed on brakes I tried to avoid them and went to the right but there was a pole and another truck so I pulled back to left and it the car in the rear. At no time did the air bags deploy I would like an investigation started prior to car being totaled and removed by insurance company.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Suspension · 177,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 cadillac deville. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the rear passenger side of the vehicle was leaking battery acid. As a result, the rear axle detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Electrical · 77,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 cadillac deville. While driving 72 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the service air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be maneuvered to the shoulder of the highway where the vehicle was successfully restarted after the initial attempt. The contact stated that the failure occurred on a previous occasion. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the engine continued to stall after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Engine · 80,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 cadillac deville. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

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Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005

Questions about the 2001 Cadillac Deville

Is the 2001 Cadillac Deville reliable?

Owners have filed 175 complaints about the 2001 Cadillac Deville, close to a typical Deville model year.

What is the 2001 Cadillac Deville year score?

The 2001 Cadillac Deville scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac Deville: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Cadillac Deville?

Engine and cooling, with 52 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles. Next is electrical (45).

How many recalls does the 2001 Cadillac Deville have?

4 recalls, covering electrical system, seat belts and structure.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Cadillac Deville get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Cadillac Deville range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 25 highway.

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