The Lemon Index
20048th generation
Not enough data. Only 11 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Lexus ES 1632005 BMW 5 Series2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 82
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Cadillac DeVille
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 50,000–99,000 miles (80,000–159,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 8 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 headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 539 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Clunk noise from front of vehicle while driving or shifting in and out of gear”?
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 11 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 17K to 24K miles (27K to 39K km) on the car (8 of all 11 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
Vehicle repaired 2 twice within 3,000 miles for brake pulsation, poor stopping ability, abs lite 'on'. Dealer replaced / machined rotors for warpage both times. Could not duplicate abs warning.
2005 Cadillac DeVille owner · NHTSA complaint 10185289
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 539 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clunk noise from front of vehicle while driving or shifting in and out of gear
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–$3,350 (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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-deville/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Cadillac DeVille reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Cadillac DeVille reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Cadillac DeVille problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (36%), brakes (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 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 2005 Cadillac DeVille get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Cadillac DeVille have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Cadillac DeVille cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Cadillac DeVille have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac DeVille year is better than the 2005?
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