The Lemon Index
200320058th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (8th generation).
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Lexus ES 1392004 BMW 5 Series 912004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 54
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Cadillac DeVille
- Engine stalling14 complaintsmostly at 60,000–118,000 miles (97,000–191,000 km)
- Power window regulator9 complaintsmostly at 50,000–85,000 miles (80,000–137,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 14V355000 (electrical) done? 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?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Cadillac sent dealers 470 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Unwanted alarm activation, trunk key cylinder hard to open, trunk ajar lamp on, fuel gauge…”?
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 23 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 10K to 52K miles (16K to 84K km) on the car (19 of all 23 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
Dt: consumer states: turned on ignition and car accelerated on its own. Had to push pedal all the way to the floor. Barely got it to stop. Thought at first that pedal was stuck. Got the vehicle to stop by turning off the ignition.
2004 Cadillac DeVille owner · NHTSA complaint 10123846
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 470 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Unwanted alarm activation, trunk key cylinder hard to open, trunk ajar lamp on, fuel gauge…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may caus.
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. 2004 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 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-deville/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Cadillac DeVille reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 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 40; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2004 Cadillac DeVille problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), brakes (13%) and speed control (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac DeVille have?
1 safety recall (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Cadillac DeVille get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Cadillac DeVille have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Cadillac DeVille cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Cadillac DeVille have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Cadillac DeVille year than the 2004?
Not nearby: the 2004 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Cadillac DeVille years within 3 model years of it.
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