MYRModel Year Report

2003 Cadillac Deville

● Typical for this model
2003 Cadillac Deville
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:50:30.333Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
144
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

38% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 19 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 88 complaints 1992: 135 complaints 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1995: 129 complaints 1996: 218 complaints 1996 1997: 269 complaints 1998: 237 complaints 1999: 187 complaints 1999 2000: 225 complaints 2001: 175 complaints 2002: 176 complaints 2003: 144 complaints 2003 144 2004: 167 complaints 2005: 95 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 19 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 88 complaints 1991 1992: 135 complaints 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1995: 129 complaints 1995 1996: 218 complaints 1997: 269 complaints 1997 1998: 237 complaints 1999: 187 complaints 1999 2000: 225 complaints 2001: 175 complaints 2001 2002: 176 complaints 2003: 144 complaints 2003 144 2004: 167 complaints 2005: 95 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 19 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1987 1988: 28 complaints 1988 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 88 complaints 1991 1992: 135 complaints 1992 1993: 96 complaints 1993 1994: 140 complaints 1994 1995: 129 complaints 1995 1996: 218 complaints 1996 1997: 269 complaints 1997 1998: 237 complaints 1998 1999: 187 complaints 1999 2000: 225 complaints 2000 2001: 175 complaints 2001 2002: 176 complaints 2002 2003: 144 complaints 2003 144 2004: 167 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005

2003: 144 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19823
19835
19846
198519
198622
198741
198828
198949
199077
199188
1992135
199396
1994140
1995129
1996218
1997269
1998237
1999187
2000225
2001175
2002176
2003144
2004167
200595

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

38% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-12

Air bags

18% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-27

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-02

Also filed under Engine

On 6/8/08 my vehicle was involved in an accident, the front end is completely totaled and the air bags never deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-06-18

Engine

11% · 16 reports
CRASHINJURY

Power train

10% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASH

Service brakes

10% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-19

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-08-15Air bags02V222000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2003-03-11Air bags03V051000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-10-17Fuel system, gasoline03V238000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2014-09-23Electrical system14V355000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Cadillac Deville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 54 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V222000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V051000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V238000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14V355000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Cadillac Deville reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Cadillac Deville is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Deville?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Deville have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.