The Lemon Index
200120038th generation
Better than average · most complaints: engine
57 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Lexus ES 1372002 BMW 5 Series 552002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Cadillac DeVille
- Engine stalling28 complaintsmostly at 36,000–110,000 miles (58,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Cadillac DeVille (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,200 and 30,000 miles (12,000–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 57 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V355000 (electrical), 03V238000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 02V227000 (seat belts) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Cadillac sent dealers 464 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding drivability complaints and a check engine light”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 57 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 30K miles (12K to 48K km) on the car (23 of all 57 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
When driving 75 mph driver's side air bag inadvertently deployed, causing consumer to pull over. Dealer has been notified.
2002 Cadillac DeVille owner · NHTSA complaint 10034128
More owner reports
Consumer complained about an air bag problem. Air bag light kept coming on.
NHTSA complaint 10055418
While driving and with no warning, the vehicle stalled, which made the vehicle difficult to control.
NHTSA complaint 10031361
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 464 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding drivability complaints and a check engine light
- Subject regarding no start, no crank, i/p lamps, illuminated (battery, batteries, generator,…
- Service engine soon or check engine soon malfunction indicator lamp being illuminated
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may caus.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2003 4.6L engines only
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…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER LAP AND/OR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS THAT MAY NOT REMAIN LOCKED UP AS DESIGNED DURING A CRASH IN WHICH THE BELT PRETENSIONERS DEPLOY.
Show all 5 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2002
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Cadillac DeVille recall, all years · All Cadillac recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★☆☆☆☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac DeVille year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-deville/?y=2002" title="Cadillac DeVille reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-deville/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Cadillac DeVille reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Cadillac DeVille reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 66; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac DeVille year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2002 Cadillac DeVille problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (19%), airbags (19%) and tires (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Cadillac DeVille have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Cadillac DeVille get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Cadillac DeVille problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,200 and 30,000 miles (12,000–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 57 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Cadillac DeVille have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Cadillac DeVille cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Cadillac DeVille have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac DeVille year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works