Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times with no warning. The vehicle was also smoking and overheating. The sensor illuminated on the instrument panel for overheating. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed and repaired the head gasket. After the repair, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the rods and crank shaft plus the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was not able to get the parts from the authorized dealer to replace the engine , rods and the crank shaft. The contact was referred and getting an independent mechanic to purchase the part from the manufacturer but the part was still not available. …
$3440.72 of repairs from jan 05 to aug 06, includes air bags, computer problems, electric windows, air conditioner,fuel pump,water pump,electric seat heater,etc. On a 2001 Cadillac dts with 60038 miles. All fixed by dealer and extended warranty. We paid #50.00 deductible for each trip to service dept. 8 times since jan 05. The complaint is regarding the number of times we have been without a vehicle and the numerous repairs on a car that is suppose to be well made, and of course is very expensive. We are selling this vehicle because it is not reliable and will have to withdraw several thousand dollars to make up the difference of the sale value and what we owe. We would be keeping the car until paid for if there had not been so many problems. This car is kept in a garage at all times,and we have it serviced every 3000 miles and have done this since we bought the car in dec 2003. …
Dt: the consumer stated 2001 Cadillac Deville was stalling and jumping. This is happening intermittently. The consumer has taken the car to the dealership for repairs 4 times. They could not find the cause of the problem. The car was stalling even in the driveway. The consumer is getting a rental when the dealer is working on the car. The car has had diagnostic testing done. The owner says that the car is under warranty. The dealer can not get the car into the shop till next week. And the owner is now going to have to pay for the rental fee from the dealership. The owner is having issues on her warranty also. The dealer has replaced sensors, gaskets and rotors, motor mounts, reprogrammed the computer. The owner does have any idea on the cause. The component that I am choosing is other. No one knows what is wrong with the car. Speed is not a factor.
2001 Cadillac de ville was built with defective engine parts (crank sensor) that cause it to stall without warning...in my car, Cadillac has replaced this same part twice with the full knowledge that the original and the replacement parts were defective. Yet, Cadillac refuses to initiate a recall...this is unacceptable, because of the risk for accident and fatalities....when the engine stalls it is nearly impossible to quickly steer or safely stop the vehicle. I respectfully request for the NHTSA to require Cadillac to recall every vehicle with this problem. I also feel Cadillac should be required to design a backup system for future engines that would keep the engine ruinning if the "crank sensor" would fail. Looking forward to your response.
Engine complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Cadillac Deville, 30% of the model year's 175 complaints. The component named most often is engine (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Cadillac Deville engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Cadillac Deville, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Cadillac Deville engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.