Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. While driving 72 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the service air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be maneuvered to the shoulder of the highway where the vehicle was successfully restarted after the initial attempt. The contact stated that the failure occurred on a previous occasion. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the engine continued to stall after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the dealer would install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over a key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
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.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 27 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted and was driven home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle had previously been repaired under an ignition switch related recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Engine sudden shut off while driving on high traffic highway resulted in loss of power steering and quick reduction in vehicle speed. Driver made efforts to pull over out the traffic but faster traffic from behind caught up with the disabled vehicle and resulted in number of collisions. In total three vehicles were severe dammaged and two other drivers were injured. Cause of the failure is attributed to failure of the cranck shaft sensor.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and caused the contact to crash the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. Two passengers were injured and received medical attention. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Cadillac Deville, 26% of the model year's 175 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Cadillac Deville electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Cadillac Deville electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.