AI Damage2002 Cadillac Deville: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Cadillac Deville filed 176 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 176
- involving a crash
- 20
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 26% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 15% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 45 complaints (26% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 26 complaints (15% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 24 complaints (14% of all).
- Steering: 18 complaints (10% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 17 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 176 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 45 | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 26 | 8 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| Tires | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving the car will shut down and I will lose power steering and power brakes and I'm pretty sure my air bags are not working either
The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the engine stalled and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. As a result, the contact crashed into trees. The driver sustained injuries to the left ankle, concussion and bruises. The contact did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a concussion that required medical attention. The contact later received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 14v355000 (electrical system) however the part needed for repairs was unavailable. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for repairs.
The engine cranked but failed to start the first few attempts (at least I think). I was about to start my process of exiting the car, when I noticed the tachometer showing 600 rpm. I was really hesitate to drive the vehicle any further, so we proceeded to do our grocery shopping.
Driving on 85 and ran into two big potholes. Have pictures also.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that the brake pin detached when she depressed the brake pedal. She contacted a local cadillac dealer who will have someone inspect the vehicle. The dealer stated that they had never before seen that type of failure.
The airbags did not deploy. The contact was belted. The contact sustained injuries. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 16,500. A police report was taken.
When the first impact occurred the seat belt worked properly. However, seat belt assembly came to pieces, and the occupant became loose ,bouncing inside the vehicle , dying at the scene of the accident. The right front seat passenger died in the crash. A recall had been performed on the seat belts prior.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,291 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Deville has 83 complaints (33 years in the data). This year has 176, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
- Deville 19763 sources
- Deville 19784 sources
- Deville 19823 sources
- Deville 19835 sources
- Deville 19846 sources
- Deville 198519 sources
- Deville 198622 sources
- Deville 198740 sources
- Deville 198828 sources
- Deville 198948 sources
- Deville 199076 sources
- Deville 199187 sources
- Deville 1992135 sources
- Deville 199392 sources
- Deville 1994127 sources
- Deville 1995129 sources
- Deville 1996218 sources
- Deville 1997269 sources
- Deville 1998237 sources
- Deville 1999187 sources
- Deville 2000225 sources
- Deville 2001175 sources
- Deville 2003145 sources
- Deville 2004167 sources
- Deville 200595 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Cadillac Deville?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, air bags, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 176. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (16%), warning lights, check engine (9%), windows, sunroof (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Cadillac Deville from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.