The Lemon Index
200220048th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
28 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Lexus ES 1252003 BMW 5 Series2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 132
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Cadillac DeVille
- Engine stalling18 complaintsmostly at 69,000–120,000 miles (111,000–193,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 145 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 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 2,700 and 11,000 miles (4,300–18,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 28 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 03V051000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Cadillac sent dealers 477 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine misfire condition due to a loss of signal from the powertrain control module (pcm) to…”?
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 28 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 2K to 11K miles (4K to 18K km) on the car (21 of all 28 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
2003 Cadillac DeVille [xxx]. You can push the brake pedal all the way to the floor and gm says this is normal. It is not acceptable to have a car where one can force the brake pedal to the floor.
2003 Cadillac DeVille owner · NHTSA complaint 10072830
More owner reports
2003 Cadillac DeVille lost all electrical power to the vehicle and an attempted jump start was ineffective in starting the vehicle.**
NHTSA complaint 10122659
Multiple failures with 2003 Cadillac. The check engine light illuminated, cruise control ceased and the transmission had to be repaired.
NHTSA complaint 10099946
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 477 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine misfire condition due to a loss of signal from the powertrain control module (pcm) to…
- Product field information regarding engine misfire condition due to a loss of signal from the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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…
- Airbags · recall issued 2003
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.
Show all 4 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.
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. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-deville/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Cadillac DeVille reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Cadillac DeVille reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac DeVille year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2003 Cadillac DeVille problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (36%), brakes (21%) and fuel system, gasoline (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac DeVille have?
4 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 2003 Cadillac DeVille get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Cadillac DeVille problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,700 and 11,000 miles (4,300–18,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 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 2003 Cadillac DeVille have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Cadillac DeVille cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Cadillac DeVille have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac DeVille year is better than the 2003?
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