Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Cadillac DeVille, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 44 | 18% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 42 | 17% |
| Visibility | 22 | 9% |
| Steering | 11 | 4% |
| Air bags | 10 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 3% |
| Structure | 8 | 3% |
| Power train | 7 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3% |
| Engine | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAD TO PARK CAR AND NO LONGER DRIVE EVEN THOUGH I PUT A NEW ENGINE IN IT AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN 2013. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE BACKING UP IN MY PARKING LOT , I HEARD A LOUD POP AND LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING BOX BOLTS HAD RIPPED OUT OF THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING AND TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. ENGINE CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT AND SAME MECHANIC REPLACED ALL OF THE UPPER SEALS. EVENTUALLY, A PRESSURE TEST AND CAMERA INSERT BY MY MECHAN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF BURNING OIL WAS NOTICED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED, THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2000 Cadillac DeVille. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certai
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES. DURING NORMAL ENGINE ROLL, THE PLASTIC END FITTING OF THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD CONTACT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND FRACTURE. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Risk: THE FRACTURE COULD PREVENT FULL CLOSING OF THE THROTTLE AND CAUSE A SMALL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM IN DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CRUISE CONTROL BRACKET AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEARSE, AND LIMOUSINES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THESE VEHICLES HAVE SEAT BELTS THAT MAY NOT MEET THE 30-POUND PUSH BUTTON RELEASE EFFORT REQUIREMENT OF THE STANDARD.
Risk: HIGH RELEASE EFFORTS COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR A CRASH VICTIM TO RELEASE THE BELT AND EXIT THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS AND, IF NECESSARY, MODIFY THE LATCH PLATES OR REPLACE THE RETRACTOR. DEALERS WILL ALSO ADD "SNAP ON" LATCH CLIPS TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL OF INVERTED LATCH PLATE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKS IN THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.
Risk: WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PROPORTIONING, ANTILOCK BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE IS ACTIVATED IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE FEATURE MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR UNIT AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC MODULATOR.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 44 of them (18%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.