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 190 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Cadillac DeVille, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 17% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 14% |
| Steering | 12 | 6% |
| Air bags | 10 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 5% |
| Visibility | 9 | 5% |
| Suspension | 7 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 4% |
| Tires | 7 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 1990 Cadillac Brougham. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer on eBay on 05/15/2025. The vehicle was shipped to the contact. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purch
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR ONE DAY THE DASHBOARD HAD FALLEN WITHOUT ME KNOWING WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I ASKED AROUND TO SEE IF IT WAS A WAY TO FIX IT OR IF THEY HAD KNOWN ANYONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I USE MY VEHICLE TO GET BAC
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY FALLING DOWN IN TO YOUR LEGS AND FEET. I HAD A LARGE PIECE FALL ON MY LEGS AND FEET WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY WORK DONE ON THE CAR WHERE THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD. THERE ARE P
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE "CHECK SERVICE AIR LEVELING SYSTEM" AND "BATTERY CHARGING" WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED S
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH GOING 48MPH AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG OR ANY OTHER AIR DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END THAT THE CAR WAS TOTALED A COMPLETE LOSS. I WOULD LIKE CAR TO BE INSPE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BATTERY ACID. AS A RESULT, THE REAR AXLE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUV
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2001 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: 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
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.
Risk: IN SUCH A CRASH, THIS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN INJURY FOR THAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINER KIT IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AG
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SEDANS, HEARSE, AND LIMOUSINE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THESE VEHICLES HAVE SUNVISOR CENTER SUPPORTS WITH CERTAIN RADII LESS THAN THE 3.2MM REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Risk: RADII LESS THAN 3.2MM CAN INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF CERTAIN TYPES OF INJURIES, LIKE LACERATIONS, IF AN OCCUPANT CONTACTS THE SUPPORT DURING A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUNVISOR CENTER SUPPORTS WITH REDESIGNED SUPPORTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVI
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 190 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 32 of them (17%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (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 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 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 60/100. 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.