2003 Cadillac Deville: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Cadillac Deville: 4 recalls, 145 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #02V222000 · 2002 · 133,221 vehicles
What's 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Airbags Vehicle recall #03V051000 · 2003 · 130 vehicles
What's 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #03V238000 · 2003 · 102,212 vehicles
What's 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V355000 · 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles
What's 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,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 15 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (52): the most common themes are electrical failure (24), stalls / loses power (14), warning light on (7).
- Airbags (25): the most common themes are fails to deploy (7), warning light on (6).
- Engine (16): the most common themes are warning light on (6), stalls / loses power (6), electrical failure (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (14): the most common themes are warning light on (6), hard / delayed shifting (3), stalls / loses power (3).
The 2003 Cadillac Deville has 145 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 16 Deville model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 159). Complaints peaked in 2014 (45 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 11 years old, at a median of 68,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (176 complaints, 5 recalls), 2004 (167 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Cadillac Deville.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Cadillac Deville have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Cadillac Deville. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Cadillac Deville problems?
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (52), airbags (25), engine (16).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac Deville get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Cadillac Deville repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.