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2005 Cadillac Deville Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac Deville with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (35) and the steering (32). Those complaints describe 10 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in June 2014 for the ignition. For comparison, the 2004 has 174.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Deville year, for its age

#101 most complained-about 2005 vehicle

Complaints
104
Recalls
1
Crashes
10
Fires
1
Injuries
14
Deaths
0

Most common 2005 Cadillac Deville problems

Share of all 104 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2005 Cadillac Deville recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: ignition

14V3550003,141,731 vehicles affected

The problem
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 certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
The 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 loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The 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. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

What owners say

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104 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac Deville

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.

Steering

When you drive thru a puddle of water the power steering stops working. After a few minutes it works like normal. This has happened numerous times.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11171889
Brakes

On the road failure of hydraulic brake line due to rust corrosion while driving on highway.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11044172
Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph and attempted to make a turn, the steering wheel locked. No warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure progressed. The contact had to shut the vehicle off and restart in order to make the turn. The dealer or an independent mechanic did not diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11020729
Airbags1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac dts. While driving approximately 75 mph, the front passenger air bag deployed without warning or impact. A slight musty odor was present due to the air bag deployment and all the warning indicators on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact sustained injuries, which did not require medical attention. The contact drove to an unknown cadillac dealer located in stuart, fl, who stated that nothing could be done about the air bag because it would be a long process. The contact...

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then took the vehicle to claude nolan cadillac (located on southside blvd, jacksonville, fl) and was informed to contact the manufacturer because they had never seen an air bag deploy without a crash. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed to take the vehicle back to claude nolan cadillac where it was diagnosed that there was damage to the undercarriage and that something must have set off the air bag. The manufacturer would not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Updated 11/07/17*lj *tr

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11016151
Electrical system

My a/c runs at will. Off and on by itself. Running, stationary, and in motion. My headlights come on when I put the car in drive ever though they are turned off. My alternator was replaced and the battery and all checked out fine at two local parts /battery stores july 18th 2017. Both were replaced in may of 2016. The display panel for the a/c shows both the fan icon and the auto icon. The auto icon will not turn off. Searching on line for complaints about this make and model show many others with this problem and no answers. This began july 6th and is happening more frequently as in several times a day.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11006296
Other & unknown1 injury

The factory installed optional glass sunroof of 2005 cadillac deville dts spontaneously "exploded" and shattered. Broken glass rained down inside the vehicle and over the back of the vehicle on to the roadway behind while traveling straight over a uncrowded highway at 62 - 63 mph approximately at 6:30 am on 6/2/17. Sunroof was closed. The interior sun shade was open. Exterior temperature was about 60f. Interior temperature was about 75f. The car has approximately 103,500 miles on it. There was no previous damage to...

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sunroof or indications of prior damage to the sunroof. There was no sound of crack like when rock hits the windshield or sound of object hitting the car or sunroof prior to the "bang!" As the sunroof exploded. Traffic was light on divided highway and were no trucks in ahead, or cars very nearby. It was an utterly uneventful and non-extreme drive in terms of speed, temperatures, traffic volume, or operation. Cruise control was set. The rear edge of glass remaining in the frame appears to be bent upward whether from the explosion or the air pressure after I have no idea. Submitted as a glass claim to my insurance company.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10993359
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The failure recurred and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that there were no failures prior to the dealer repairing the vehicle per nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10967757
AirbagsDriver assistanceCrash1 injury

I was hit head-on. The ignition turned off after being hit and the seat- belts did not deploy. I stopped and my hand was on the horn but the person did not slow down or stop.I was on a city street.I was hurt and had neck surgery. Gm is telling me they will look back into it after denial that was it due to the recall. They sold the car as salvage when the insurance totaled it. The car was then sold with a salvage title. They replaced the ignition after telling me my accident injuries was not due to the recall.

Filed Incident Air bags · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 10926097
AirbagsCrash

Car was hit in back while stopped in construction zone on us 75 south of durant oklahoma and knocked into car stopped in front. Air bags did not inflate.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10907563
SteeringCrash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. While making a right turn at approximately 10 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, drove over a curb, and into a field. There were no injuries nor was a police report filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10822628
Lights

The front head lights on my 2006 cadillac dts go out at all times. I have to continuously cut out and I have to turn the light switch off and on so I can drive at night. Ii previously owned another 2006 cadillac dts with the same problems. I took the vehicle to a cadillac dealer kristal auto mall in brooklyn, ny and they fix the problem which they said was a faulty ballast. It was faulty on both headlights. And now in the dts I have, it is faulty too. There has been a recall on this same issue in other gm vehicles.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10790772
Electrical system

Driving on a local freeway, my ignition switch to off. I was only going 55 mph in heavy traffice. I was able to place the car in neutral & restart the engine, but for a short period I was with limited braking and steering. Had my wife been driving I am certain the outcome would not have been as good. After this I took the car into the local cadillac dealer to have the ignition switch corrective recall complied with. They adjusted the size of the hole on my keys - this was the fix. However, changing the size of the...

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key hole does nothing to prevent my ignition switch from "popping' to off. At the time of the failure mentioned, I had only a single key in place. I contacted cadillac about this and their reply has been that the recall only covers the key hole change & does nothing to address the faulty ignition switch. Further, they indicatedthat I could have the ignition switch changed for $1090.00.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10786033
Electrical systemAirbagsEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. While driving approximately 55 mph, the engine seized. The vehicle crashed into a median and the air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained major injuries, including two broken feet and a concussion. The driver required medical assistance. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 10779350
Visibility & wipers

The driver side mirror changes position, pointing down to the ground, erratically, usually when entering or leaving the car, or inserting the key, even though I am always using driver #1 key. I can reset it, use the memory button to save the position. It may work for several stops during a shopping trip, then change again on it's own. It is a safety hazard because when I want to change lanes I look at the mirror and it is pointed to the ground. The dealer where I always take my car for service, has not been able to determine the problem.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10761835
Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph on a wet road, the contact attempted to make a left turn and there was an abnormal noise. The contact mentioned that the power steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10760256
Steering

I bought this car used and have only had it a few weeks but about five times now I have had the power steering quit when driving in the rain. It returns in seconds but I am disabled and it is very difficult for me to control the car. Luckily, this has only happened at low speeds. I'm afraid of being killed. I have since read that this is a well known problem. In all seriousness, do folks have to die before gm fixes the problem?

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10746637
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10732694
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired under an unknown recall; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000. The vin and nhtsa campaign number were not available.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10724883
Electrical systemFire

During winter driving, turned on the heated steering wheel, felt the fingers of my left hand begin to burn and noticed smoke coming from the heated steering wheel cover. I immediately switched off the heated steering wheel, the smoking stopped. I have not used that feature since, have not had it repaired. Checked for recalls on this problem, did not find any. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10695371
Electrical system

2005 Cadillac deville. Consumer was unaware of vehicle being recalled until 9 years later. *Ta the consumer has since traded the vehicle. *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10659541
Electrical system

2005 Cadillac deville. Consumer states car developed an ignition problem and had to pay to fix the problem. The consumer would like reimbursement. *Ta

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10660651
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. The contact stated that the key could be removed from the ignition switch while driving. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number: 14v355000 (electrical system) but the part was not available for several months to service the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10664829
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac deville. The contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10663787
Electrical system

2005 Cadillac deville vehicle was declared totaled due to flooding and consumer wishes to be removed from list *cn

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10653329
Engine & coolingElectrical systemAirbagsFuel system

Large oil leak gear shift stuck electrical system damage,regulator. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Air bags · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10660171

Cadillac Deville: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20051041101Electrical systemF
20041741144Electrical systemF
20031484150Electrical systemF
20021825202Electrical systemF
20011774233Engine & coolingF
All Deville years

2005 Cadillac Deville vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2005 Cadillac Deville

Does the 2005 Cadillac Deville have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2005 Cadillac Deville: ignition (June 2014). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac Deville?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (35), steering (32), airbags (19).

How many complaints has the 2005 Cadillac Deville had?

104 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 4, 2005 and the latest on January 24, 2019. Of these, 10 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 14 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2005 Cadillac Deville a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 23 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Cadillac Deville year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Cadillac Deville years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2005 Cadillac Deville has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

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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