FaultScore

2001 Cadillac Deville steering problems

20 of the 239 complaints about the 2001 Cadillac Deville are about the steering — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.

C

20

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering 13 65.0%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 2 10.0%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 1 5.0%
Column 1 5.0%
Rack AND Pinion 1 5.0%
Pump 1 5.0%
TIE ROD Assembly 1 5.0%

Steering across every Cadillac Deville year

1996 45 18.8%
1997 24 10.0%
1998 16 6.7%
1999 13 5.4%
2000 25 10.5%
2001 20 8.4%
2002 18 7.5%
2003 12 5.0%
2004 37 15.5%
2005 29 12.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 115,000 miles Live OAK, FL

STEERING

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 PIECES OF BLACK PLASTIC THAT FALL OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AREA ALL THE TIME. I HAVE HAD TO TAPE THE LIGHT SWITCHES INTO PLACE WITH DUCT TAPE. AND THE RADIO AND A/C CONTROL AREA I HAVE PROPED UP WITH A SHELF BRACKET TO TRY AND HOLD IT IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A COUNTY ROAD WHEN THE LARGE PIECE FELL DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11218884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Orlando, FL

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. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11130239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Dallas, TX

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER MANIPULATING THE WIRING HARNESS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #10780467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 168,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXTREME FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE RACK AND THE PINION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA complaint #10650488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 168,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXTREME FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE RACK AND THE PINION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA complaint #10650488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Walterboro, SC

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 6 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER STEERING, AND STALLED. A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10627452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kankakee, IL Crash 1 injured

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF AFTER THE CRASH AND CAUSED SPARKS AND FUEL FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE HAD TO CUT THE WIRES AND DETACH THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN TAILBONE, A CRACKED STERNUM, AND BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS ACROSS THE CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ UPDATED 3/2/15

NHTSA complaint #10626425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 234,000 miles Johnsoncity, TN

STEERING

I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE THE ENTIRE FRONT END FELL OUT,MY ELECTRIC SHOWS EVERYTHING WORKS , HAVE ALSO HAD WEIRD THING COME UP THAT I CAN NOT TURN SECURITY OFF, IT STARTED OVER HEATING I HAVE FIXED EVERYTHING BUT WILL STILL GET EXTREMELY HOT FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10598935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Ladson, SC

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE SERVICE ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH BOTH SENSORS CONTINUING TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THE POWER STEERING HOSES. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TWICE BEFORE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, IT STARTED VIBRATING. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL FOUR POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE ABS AND TRACTION SYSTEM FAILED. THE POWER STEERING HOSE LINE WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 07/16/14 UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ UPDATED 08/23/2017

NHTSA complaint #10598155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,900 miles Issaquah, WA

STEERING

100% STEERING FAILURE NO WARNING. LOCATED AT CADILLAC DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10231350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Concord, NC

STEERING:COLUMN

WHEN I PURCHASED MY CADILLAC, IT HAD 22,000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A "BUMPING" IN THE STEERING WHEN I TURNED AT SLOW SPEEDS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 1. THE DEALER REPAIRED A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT, DIDN'T FIX IT. 2. THE DEALER CHANGED THE RACK & PINION, DIDN'T FIX IT. 3. THE DEALER CHANGED THE TIE ROD ENDS, DIDN'T FIX IT. 4. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TIGHTENED UP LOOSE BOLTS IN THE FRONT END, DIDN'T FIX IT. 5. FINALLY, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1,300. *JB WHEN I OBJECTED, BECAUSE I STILL AM NOT SURE IF THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT MIGHT LOCK UP. WELL, I FEEL LIKE THAT SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND THEY HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY MANY TIMES TO FIX IT, THEY SHOULD FIX IT FREE. OF COURSE THEY DON'T THINK SO.

NHTSA complaint #10166386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Clarks Summit, PA

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

DATES AND MILEAGE INFO PROVIDED ARE APPROXIMATE. TIE ROD FAILURE AT 32,000 MILES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT WILL NOT MOVE SAFETY CONCERNS TO A HIGHER LEVEL, NOR WILL THEY PROVIDE ASSURANCES ABOUT FUTURE SAFETY, NOR DO THEY OFFER ANY OTHER REMEDY TO PROVIDE A FEELING OF SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND. PLEASE SEE E-MAILS SENT UNDER SEPARATE COVER TO EMAIL ADDRESS SHOWN ON YOUR SITE.

NHTSA complaint #10023645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arlington Heights, IL

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

CONSUMER STATED THAT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STEERING PROBLEMS. HAD RACK AND PINION REPLACED ON 02/7/02 ON 02/09 THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. PUMP FAILED AGAIN ON 02/11. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 12/4/02 WHEN POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE IN ALL INSTANCES THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. TS

NHTSA complaint #8024049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flint, MI

STEERING

WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THEREBY DRIVING INTO A DITCH. THERE WAS A CLUNK/POP TYPE OF NOISE HEARD WHEN DRIVING. THE STEERING FELT LOOSE, LIKE IT WAS PULLING.

NHTSA complaint #567495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

STEERING

VEHICLE HAS STEERING PROBLEM WITH EXTREME ROUGHNESS AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.

NHTSA complaint #563092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Windsor, NJ

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE DRIVING STEERING BECOMES INOPERABLE. VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT IT IS THE STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8007707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

STEERING

VEHICLE HAS STEERING PROBLEM WITH EXTREME ROUGHNESS AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.

NHTSA complaint #563092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring Hill, FL

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING WAS CHATTERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE AWARE, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION.

NHTSA complaint #895169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Coast, FL

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL SHARPLY TO RIGHT A CLICKING NOISE OCCURRS WITHIN STEERING COLUMN. NOISE DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STRAIGHT OR WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM , BUT STATES THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #890299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warrington, PA

STEERING

THERE IS A MOANING SOUND AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND VIBRATION ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE UNDER THE FLOOR BOARD.

NHTSA complaint #9002561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Cadillac Deville problems

← Full 2001 Cadillac Deville report