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.
Cadillac Deville engine failure problems
58 of the 2,538 owner complaints about the Cadillac Deville describe engine failure, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 58
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical mileage
- 87,503
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 15Overheating 10Stalling 7No deployment 4Brake failure 3Warning lights 2Power steering loss 2Loss of power 2
What owners say
The contact owns a 1995 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and inadvertently shifted into cruise control and then seized in full idle. The accelerator pedal depressed independently. The high battery voltage and oxygen sensor warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and diagnosed that the vehicle needed an idle control motor replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Takata air bag, do not know if that item is in my car but they say it is. Also like so many northstar engines there is trouble with the head gasket, and according to the hydrocarbon block test, mine must be replaced. In order to replace it, the engine and power train must be removed, at my expense. Due to this issue, my car continues to try and overheat after about 29 miles of driving. After listening to those folks on the cadillac forum, I have been lead to believe, the overheating issue may be, partly the fault of the fine thread head bolts and or studs. Many mechanics I have spoken with have said that I need a new engine, although the folks on the cadillac fourm have said that time-serts, or the larger studs/bolts might fix the issue. Never the less, with each cadillac deville dhs with the northstar engine I read about, the same issue exists for almost all of them, which indicates to me that there was an issue in the original design of possibly not using a large enough bolt/stud to begin with. Either that or cadillac may have had a planned obsolescence type thing to get the drivers to keep replacing their automobiles. And they say recalls are not covering this design flaw....
Airbag light stays on at all times. Car will not pass inspection. I had to park car and no longer drive even though I put a new engine in it and had the transmission rebuilt in 2013. Dealer says there is no recall on airbag system for my car.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine seized. The vehicle crashed into a median and the air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained major injuries, including two broken feet and a concussion. The driver required medical assistance. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 cadillac deville. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine overheated with the illumination of the warning light. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who stated there was a blown head gasket. The contact stated that the manufacturer issued a voluntary recall in which the remedy would replace the engine. The VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 cadillac deville. While driving 40 MPH, the steering seized and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a tree. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 3 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the brakes failed to respond without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,045.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Cadillac Deville engine failure
Which Cadillac Deville years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (10 complaints), 2001 (8 complaints) and 2002 (6 complaints).
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