FaultScore

2003 Cadillac Deville brake problems

16 of the 208 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac Deville are about the braking system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 39,000 miles.

F

16

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 6 37.5%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2 12.5%
Parking Brake 2 12.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 12.5%
Master Cylinder 1 6.3%
Pedals AND Linkages 1 6.3%
Rotor 1 6.3%
Caliper 1 6.3%

Brakes across every Cadillac Deville year

1990 31 8.1%
1991 31 8.1%
1992 29 7.6%
1993 24 6.3%
1994 19 4.9%
1995 15 3.9%
1996 23 6.0%
1997 74 19.3%
1998 41 10.7%
1999 20 5.2%
2000 28 7.3%
2001 20 5.2%
2002 13 3.4%
2003 16 4.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Boise, ID

SERVICE BRAKES

I tried to explain to the dealership that unaware of the recall my cars breaks had failed and crashed my vehicle. They said the only thing that was affected was the key. I had told her that the result of my crash was from my breaks not working due to the recall. She told me no that that wasnt affected. I just want my car to be safe on the road as i have kids, and family that ride with me regularly.

NHTSA complaint #11441153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 188,000 miles Lillian, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

THE ABS & TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS COME UP ON THE SCREEN ALONG WITH CHECK AS I'M DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY BRAKES MAKE A WEIRD SOUND LIKE A SPRUNG SPRING AND THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GONE BUT THEY'RE NOT. IT'S SCARY BE SURE I FEEL I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP WHICH TO ME IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NO CODES SHOW EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, BUT NONE OF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS EVER STAY ON VERY LONG, IT'S OFF AND ON , OFF AND ON, JUST POPS UP OCCASIONALLY, ALL 3 TOGETHER EVERY TIME. IT MAY GO DAYS BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO POP UP ON THE DASH AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN I WAS JUST HEADING OUT FOR WORK SO THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE PRIOR DAY IT WAS STABLE ON LEVEL GROUND AS I STARTED BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I REACHED THE POINT TO APPLY THE BRAKES THAT'S WHEN THE WEIRD BAKED SOUND ACCOMPANIED BY THE BRAKE PADDLE FEELING LIKE MY BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING AND DASH LIGHTS APPEARED. THIS HAPPENS DURING BRAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR,/ MONITOR THING COULD BE THE CAUSE. THAT'S ANOTHER THING. WHY HAVE TIRE PRESSURE EFFECT THE WORKABILITY 9F MY BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL? THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH TIRE PRESSURE. ALSO THE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOWS SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE SINCE DAY ONE. EVERY OWNER OF THE 03 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAS COMPLAINED OF THE WINDOWS JUST FALLING OUT OF PLACE BOTH OUTSIDE & INSIDE THE DOOR FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN A BAD DESIGN DEFECT. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE WINDOWS AT NO FAULT OF OURS? GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF MANUFACTURING, YET IT IS US, THE BUYERS, CONSUMERS THAT ARE PAYING AND NOT JUST OUT OF MONEY BUT THE RISK OF BROKEN GLASS HURTING A BACKSEAT PASSENGER A CHILD OR ADULT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A LAW SUITE FOR GM. THIS IS WHY IT DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11328721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Rockford, IL Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STEEL DUMPSTER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA complaint #10663233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles NEW Orleans, LA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR, BRAKE SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL SANK INTO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA complaint #10652733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Chgo, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

A RECALL LETTER WAS SENT TO ME, I CONTACTED TO GM TO LET THEM KNOW THEIR RECALL WAS A LITTLE TOO LATE AND LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS IN A STORE PARKING LOT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES,STEERING AND ELECTRICAL. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BATTERY ISSUE. I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY. I HAD TO CARRY THE BATTERY 3 MILES EACH WAY, IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY .CAR WAS TOWED, REPAIRS WERE FOUND TO BE IGNITION PROBLEM AND A MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, COSTING OVER $800, HOW DO I GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS? GM SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME AND ITS BEEN 3 WEEKS,I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS AND HAD WE BEEN TOLD OF THE RECALL A BIG EXPENSE MIGHT OF BEEN SAVED,HOW DO I GET SOME SORT OF CLAIM FORM TO GET REIMBURSED?

NHTSA complaint #10629060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Pompano Beach, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10626243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Mount Vernon, MO

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN PARKING SPACE, BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY (PEDAL TO THE FLOOR). HAD TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10493488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saginaw, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE DHS *GR THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND LEFT FRONT CALIPER HAD TO BE REPLACE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER WOULD STICK AND IT DIDN'T RELEASE PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE AND ROTOR TO WEAR. AFTER THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND STARTED DRIVING, SHE HEARD THE NEW BRAKES GRINDING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS TOLD AFTER MARKET PARTS HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON HER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED SHE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED ORIGINAL GM PARTS BE PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE BLOCK HALVES AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING OIL.

NHTSA complaint #10326346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Potomac, MD Crash

PARKING BRAKE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. IN OCTOBER OF 2008, AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF BRAKE FAILURE AND NO INJURIES. THREE WEEKS AGO, THE VEHICLE DISAPPEARED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR AN HOUR. THE CONTACT ORIGINALLY SUSPECTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STOLEN. HE LOOKED APPROXIMATELY 35 YARDS DOWN THE STREET AND NOTICED A CROWD OF PEOPLE AND THE POLICE. THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE STREET, BUT DID NOT STRIKE ANYTHING OR ANYONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD IMPROPER SPRING TENSION AND THE PARKING PAWL WAS NOT ENGAGING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 05/27/09. *LJ THE DEALER FOUND THE PAARKING PAWL WAS NOT ENGAGING CORRECTLY. THE DALER REPLACED THE SPRING AND PARKING PAWL. UPDATED 05/28/09.

NHTSA complaint #10268427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,629 miles Hazelton, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE BAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL FOUR ROTORS OUT OF ROUND. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10129968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Camas, WA

PARKING BRAKE

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK.....THE BRAKE LOCKS UP TO THE POINT THAT IT TAKES PRESSURE FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE. IT SHOULD RELEASE WHEN IT IS PUT INTO REVERSE. ALSO, POWER STEERING MAKES A GROANING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP OR FIRST STARTING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10105082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,800 miles Durham, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALER CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT BRAKE PEDAL STILL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10073982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles Durham, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE [XXX]. YOU CAN PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND GM SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A CAR WHERE ONE CAN FORCE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10072830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Semora, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKES FAILED, BUT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. MECHANIC DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH FOUND NO ERRORS OR CODES. ALSO, MECHANIC KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WAS FORCED INTO THE ROAD ALMOST HITTING A BEER TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT ACTIVATE. (THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON)

NHTSA complaint #10057541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Honolulu, HI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE BRAKING 20 MPH CONSUMER TEMPORALLY LOST BRAKE POWER FOR 20 SECONDS OR MORE. AS THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE BRAKE RESUMED, AND VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10040075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,284 miles Tucson, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, HOWEVER THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CLIP BUSHING WHICH WAS HOLDING THE BRAKE TOGETHER. *AK *TS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10022960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Cadillac Deville problems

← Full 2003 Cadillac Deville report