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 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 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 | 30 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 11% |
| Air bags | 14 | 8% |
| Engine | 11 | 6% |
| Visibility | 11 | 6% |
| Tires | 11 | 6% |
| Power train | 9 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN THE HORN SOUNDED EXTREMELY LOUD AND WOULD NOT STOP I COULD NOT STOP IT SO I TOOK IT TO SHOP. THE DEALER SAYS THAT AIRBAG SHORTED OUT AND SHORTED OUT THE HORN. THEY WANT TO REPLACE A
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS GOING TO DROP OFF SOME TRASH BAGS IN DUMPSTER AROUND THE BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE.AND WAS PARKED NEXT TO IT AT APTMENTS STREET.I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURNED OFF ENGINE AND REMOVED THE KEYS POPPED THE TRUNK REMOVED TRASH
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND I WILL LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND I'M PRETTY SURE MY AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING EITHER
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TAKATA AIR BAG, DO NOT KNOW IF THAT ITEM IS IN MY CAR BUT THEY SAY IT IS. ALSO LIKE SO MANY NORTHSTAR ENGINES THERE IS TROUBLE WITH THE HEAD GASKET, AND ACCORDING TO THE HYDROCARBON BLOCK TEST, MINE MUST BE REPLACED. IN
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I HAVE THE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD OF AIRBAGS THE LIGHT NEVER TURNS ON PLUS BLUETOOTH DOESNT WORK AND SOME TIME IT DOESNT WANT TO TURN ON THIS HAPPEN LIKE 3 TIMES 1 IN THE GAS STATION 2 AT WALMART PARKING AND 3 AT HOME THIS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WELL I NOTICE THAT SOME TIME THE KEY WORKS AND SOME TIME IT DONT. THE SEAT BELT GET STUCK SOME TIME AND I JUST FOYND OUT THE CAR HAD RECALLS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ENGINE STALLS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING/IN MOTION. RESTARTS WITH IGNITION SWITCH RESTART. APPEARS TO BE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2002 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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.
Risk: IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN
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 SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL
Risk: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-
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.
Risk: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER O
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 30 of them (16%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (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 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 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.