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Engine & cooling

2002 Cadillac Deville Engine problems

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2002 Cadillac Deville's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 23% of all its complaints, most recently on May 26, 2020. They describe 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
42
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

SteeringEngine & cooling

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 bags closed trunk and got back in driver seat placed key in just as always real easy going and tried to turn it for hour in hot sun then walked home called tow truck were we brought it home were I live my house and cost $164.00 Dollars and is in same condition as of now. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11325916
Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsEngine & cooling

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 order to replace it, the engine and power train must be removed, at my expense. Due to this issue, my car continues to try and overheat after about 29 miles of driving. After listening to those folks on the cadillac forum, I have been lead to believe, the overheating issue may be, partly the fault...

Read the full complaint

of the fine thread head bolts and or studs. Many mechanics I have spoken with have said that I need a new engine, although the folks on the cadillac fourm have said that time-serts, or the larger studs/bolts might fix the issue. Never the less, with each cadillac deville dhs with the northstar engine I read about, the same issue exists for almost all of them, which indicates to me that there was an issue in the original design of possibly not using a large enough bolt/stud to begin with. Either that or cadillac may have had a planned obsolescence type thing to get the drivers to keep replacing their automobiles. And they say recalls are not covering this design flaw....

Filed Incident Power train · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11242844
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart only when in neutral. The failure occurred on four occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft positioning sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10664801
SteeringElectrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. While driving approximately 65 mph, the engine stalled, the brakes seized, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The air bag and engine lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the key cylinder was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 202,000.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10663353
Electrical systemEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the engine stalled and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. As a result, the contact crashed into trees. The driver sustained injuries to the left ankle, concussion and bruises. The contact did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The contact received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10648723
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated there was an oil leak from the oil pan. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 11/05/14*lj updated 4/30/15 *js

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10638649
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the engine overheated and there was a lost of transmission fluid. The warning indicators were illuminated. The problem recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the engine and transmission failed. As a result, the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10632538
Engine & cooling

Car continues to cut out when driving.Cad. Claims that they don't have the part at this time. Refuse to help. Car has stopped at least three times. I don't want to drive the car until its fixed. Have grandchildren that I need to drive to activities. No help from cad although they say that the problem ex. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10630385
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact stated owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated while driving approximately 55, the engine stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred seven times. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,970.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10627553
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from engine compartment and all of the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle coasted to the left independently and the vehicle stalled. The contact received notification for recall nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10627551
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that the vehicle would overheat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the inner head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10627202
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the engine and the vehicle resumed normal function. The contact recently received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign number 114v355000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10626236
Engine & cooling

While driving on a village street, the engine just stops. It has done this three or four times. I had my mechanic check the car diagnostic computer. It showed no faults. Glad it happens at 20mph in town, and not at 70 while on the highway. At least at low speed, I can wrestle the car to the shoulder! *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10620696
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that there was a constant leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that an oil change was needed. The oil was changed several times but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who then diagnosed that there was a secondary air injection reaction and further diagnosis would have been required. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10615925
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact restarted the engine and the vehicle operated normally. The contact indicated that the defect recurred multiple times while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10577498
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or repairs. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 32,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10575982
Engine & cooling

Engine leaks oil profusely from all over (especially oil pan gasket) and the oil falls onto the exhaust system and causes fire hazard and smoke and therefore polluting the environment. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10554736
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that the vehicle began to overheat while stopped. The vehicle was taken to a personal mechanic where the thermostat was replaced. The failure recurred after the repairs and the vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who replaced the pump and the temperature cooling sensor. The failure recurred and a new radiator cap was installed but still, to no avail. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where it was found to have a blown head gasket. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 92,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10467083
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into gear, the engine stability light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer five times and the engine stability light was reset. The repairs were covered by the warranty. During the most recent appointment with the dealer they informed the contact that a mechanical switch was defective and needed to be replaced at his expense. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The current mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10328806
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 55000. Updated 10/13/09. *Lj updated 10/13/09

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10283881
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 cadillac deville. While driving various speeds, accelerating, or driving uphill or downhill, the vehicle hesitates and performs as it if wants to stall. In addition, it takes a long time for the gear to shift. The first time the failures occurred, the contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and was informed that the intake manifold failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The dealer has not been notified. The contact is afraid to drive the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 142,790.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 10278077
Engine & cooling

Vehicle serviced last at 77,024 miles. At 79,592 vehicle checked by cadillac dealer and found "no oil in engine causing severe internal engine damage". *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10266450
Engine & cooling

2002 Deville bought is used with 46,000 miles after driving it 1,500 miles I noticed it used 3 quarts of oil. Everyone I ask says it is excessive and I agree I can not get this taken care of on my own and I owe too much money on the car to get rid of it. Cadillac should fix this problem I have talked to other individuals and they had the same problem with one car having blown the engine. He now drives a toyota avalon. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10242380
Engine & cooling

1. No warning. 2. Excessive oil consumption. Cadillac is aware of this issue and needs to issue a recall before one of their engines uses all the oil, over heats, causing a fire that kills someone. This issue is all over tsb forums 3. Beyond adding 5qts of oil between scheduled oil changes nothing. I cannot afford the $5000 engine rebuild for their mistake. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10217772
Engine & cooling

1. No warning 2. Engine will stall for no reason at any speed. Could cause vehicle to wreck resulting in death. Has happened numerous times with the loss of all power has resulted in running through stoplights and signs because could not brake properly. 3. Took to dealer for diano stated crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. Have replaced twice now. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10217771

Cadillac Deville engine complaints by year

Deville engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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