The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the ignition switch seized. Occasionally, the contact was able to wiggle the switch for the ignition to operate. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn or operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was able to replace the ignition switch on three or four occasions. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
The worst 2003 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.
- Electrical52
- Engine26
- Airbags25
- Brakes16
- Transmission14
- Steering12
- Visibility11
- Fuel system9
- Acceleration7
- Body6
- Suspension3
- Tires3
- Driver assistance2
- Seat belts2
- Wheels2
- Lights1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Cadillac Deville
Stalling 16Airbag light 9No deployment 9Brake failure 8Check engine light 8Sudden acceleration 6Engine failure 5Power windows 5
Recalls 4
Electrical system: ignition
- 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
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 03V238000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 03V051000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 02V222000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Cadillac Deville 477
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
2003 Cadillac Deville fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 25 | 19 |
What 2003 Cadillac Deville owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac DeVille. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The power steering was inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the message that the key was not detected was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently serviced at the dealer under Manufacturer Recall Number: N140299. The contact stated that the failure had occurred before receiving the recall repair notification. The failure reoccurred after the recall repair was completed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I tried to explain to the dealership that unaware of the recall my cars breaks had failed and crashed my vehicle. They said the only thing that was affected was the key. I had told her that the result of my crash was from my breaks not working due to the recall. She told me no that that wasnt affected. I just want my car to be safe on the road as i have kids, and family that ride with me regularly.
When I got the car the car wasn't painted good at all and the ignition coil was bad.
The ABS & traction control indicators come up on the screen along with check as I'm driving. When this happens my brakes make a weird sound like a sprung spring and the brakes feel like they're gone but they're not. It's scary be sure I feel I may not be able to stop which to me is a safety hazard. No codes show even though the check light came on, but none of the indicator lights ever stay on very long, it's off and on , off and on, just pops up occasionally, all 3 together every time. It may go days before they decide to pop up on the dash again. The first time this happen I was just heading out for work so the car has not been driven since the prior day it was stable on level ground as I started backing out of my driveway. When I reached the point to apply the brakes that's when the weird baked sound accompanied by the brake paddle feeling like my brakes weren't working and dash lights appeared. This happens during braking. I was told that the tire pressure sensor,/ monitor thing could be the cause. That's another thing. Why have tire pressure effect the workability 9f my brakes and traction control? They have nothing to do with tire pressure. Also the electric rear windows seem to be an issue since day one. Every owner of the 03 cadillac deville has complained of the windows just falling out of place both outside & inside the door for no reason other than a bad design defect. Why should the consumers continue to replace the windows at no fault of ours? Gm has known of this issue from the first year of manufacturing, yet it is us, the buyers, consumers that are paying and not just out of money but the risk of broken glass hurting a backseat passenger a child or adult that could potentially become a law suite for gm. This is why it definitely should be a recall.
Fuel level sensor stopped working , also after I gotten my transmission rebuilt and my front motor mount placed in the car no longer cranks like normal . Takes a while to turn over, key slides out , steering wheel is hard to turn while during and steering wheel jerks in the other direction while turning . The power steering has a leak and also the air ride suspension has stopped working lowered the car and shocks have lowered . The federal safety agency campaign id: 14v355000 the federal safety agency campaign id: 03v238
Back on july 16th 2019, I was stopped at a stop sign about to get a on the main road. When I was rear ended in my 03 cadillac deville. Airbags never deployed, causing the passenger to having whiplash/nerve damage. As per myself, now I have lower back issues.
Takata recall - the air bag light is staying on all the time. The service engine light comes on occassionally after I put gas in
2003 cadillac deville. Consumer writes requesting information for any safety recalls on their vehicle. *ld
I see this affects many years and models. Its the security system thinking the car is being tampered with after a new battery is installed. This car wont start as many others. It gets juice to the fuel pump lights and dash. Jumped the fuse to the starter and cae turns over but wont start. Ot will lock you out. No dealers or mechanics know what this problem is. So we have no choice but to junk the car. This is ridiculous. I'm one po'd cadillac owner!!!
Compare the 2003 Cadillac Deville
Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 Cadillac Deville
Is the 2003 Cadillac Deville reliable?
Owners have filed 145 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac Deville, close to a typical Deville model year.
What is the 2003 Cadillac Deville year score?
The 2003 Cadillac Deville scores 76 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 2003 Cadillac Deville?
Electrical system, with 52 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles. Next is engine (26).
How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Deville have?
4 recalls, covering electrical system, fuel system, gasoline and air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac Deville get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Cadillac Deville range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 25 highway.
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