Most common 2001 Cadillac Deville problems
Share of the 175 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac Deville complaints by model year
Best Deville years: 2005, 2003, 2004. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998, 1996, 2000. Compare all years →
2001 Cadillac Deville recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Certain passenger vehicles contain driver and front passenger lap and/or shoulder belt retractors that May not remain locked up as designed during a crash in which the belt pretensioners deploy.
Remedy: Dealers will install a retainer kit in the driver and passenger safety belt pretensioner. Owner notification began January 31, 2003.
Structure › Body
Vehicle description: certain sedans, hearse, and limousine vehicles fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." these vehicles have sunvisor center supports with certain radii less than the 3.2mm required by the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sunvisor center supports with redesigned supports. Owner notification began November 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, hearse, and limousines. Some of these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." these vehicles have seat belts that May not meet the 30-pound push button release effort requirement of the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belts and, if necessary, modify the latch plates or replace the retractor. Dealers will also add "snap on" latch clips to eliminate the potential of inverted latch plate insertion.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Cadillac Deville:
Failing seat belt buckles
On August 17, 2004, odi opened an investigation based on two complaints and one insurance company report alleging driver and/or front passenger seatbelt unbuckling during crashes on model year (my) 2000 and 2001 Cadillac deville sedans.on October 8, 2004, GM submitted data to odi related to the alleged defect for the subject vehicles.this data contained information about system design, system operation, seat belt…
What 2001 Cadillac Deville owners say
Engine & cooling all 52 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle stalled, and the battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers for diagnostic testing, but a failure code could not be located. The contact spoke to an independent mechanic who informed her that the failure was due to the failure of the upper and lower crank shift position sensors, which caused the engine to stall. The sensors needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
I have a 2001 Cadillac Deville with a 4.6(y) motor while I love the car the motor is the pits it is very costly using over 1qt between oil changes and now I have a misfire and lost of coolant and was told that my head gasket had blown and my crankcase halves are leaking and I was told to fix it would be a new engine at the cost of $8K so I guess I will have to deal with the random misfire because I cant afford to fix it you would think since Cadillac is GM's luxury brand they wouldn't have the customers deal with this sloppy engine also I have had the oil drip on the exhaust and start a small fire so now I will have to try and baby this thing.
Electrical system all 45 →
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 1990 Cadillac Brougham. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer on eBay on 05/15/2025. The vehicle was shipped to the contact. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the Sales Agreement and the odometer indicated the mileage was 46,260. In addition, the contact stated that the Sales Advertisement indicated that the mileage was 46,260. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service. The contact was informed of several needed repairs. The contact then became suspicious of the odometer. The contact later acquired a Carfax report. The Carfax report indicated that in 2016 the vehicle received an Emissions Test, and the odometer reading was reported as 125,041. The contact then took the vehicle to Pep Boys, where it was confirmed that the odometer had been rolled back. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Cadillac Deville. While the vehicle was parked, the engine compartment caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police and a fire report were filed. The fire department stated that the cause of the fire was an electrical failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,000.
Brakes
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.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into several trees at full speed. None of the air bags deployed. The contact injured her head and back during the crash. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 29,000. Updated 09/01/09. The consumer also stated the ABS did not opearte as it was designed. Updated 09/03/09.
2001 Cadillac Deville engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 25 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Cadillac Deville a good car?
Based on 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Deville rates average: 14% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Deville at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Cadillac Deville?
The engine & cooling — 52 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (45) and brakes (19).
How many recalls does the 2001 Cadillac Deville have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2001 Cadillac Deville, the most recent from June 23, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac Deville?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2003 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1998, 1996 and 2000. See the full Cadillac Deville years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Cadillac Deville problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.