Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a tree. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage, but no air bag had deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Wild traveling far right lane 45 mile-an-hour 5 lane major road in michigan hit pothole lost all control of the vehicle beard left into oncoming traffic struggled car back to the right took over 1 miles to finally come to an abrupt stop at a four foot concrete barrier in front of a car dealership airbags did not deploy loss of control brakes steering very hard
Takata air bag, do not know if that item is in my car but they say it is. Also like so many northstar engines there is trouble with the head gasket, and according to the hydrocarbon block test, mine must be replaced. In order to replace it, the engine and power train must be removed, at my expense. Due to this issue, my car continues to try and overheat after about 29 miles of driving. After listening to those folks on the Cadillac forum, I have been lead to believe, the overheating issue May be, partly the fault of the fine thread head bolts and or studs. Many mechanics I have spoken with have said that I need a new engine, although the folks on the Cadillac fourm have said that time-serts, or the larger studs/bolts might fix the issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, he became distracted and crashed into a pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a concussion that required medical attention. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V355000 (electrical system) however the part needed for repairs was unavailable. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for repairs. The front bumper and grill was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 240,000.
Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact lost conciusness while driving at 5o MPH and hit another vehicle, a stop sign and a cement pillar. There was damage to the front and passenger side of the vehicle. The airbags did not deploy. The contact was belted. The contact sustained injuries. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 16,500. A police report was taken.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville dhs. The contact stated that while driving 6 MPH and turning at an intersection, the vehicle was crashed into from the passenger side and none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed and the driver sustained bruising. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure and the current mileage was 67,000.
While driving on the highway vehicle was impacted by another vehicle on the driver's side at a very high speed. The driver's side air bag deployed but didn't inflate. The driver was severely injured. A factory representative is currently investigating the cause of the none inflation of the side airbag.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the driver side air bag deployed when the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
My car was parked in my garage when the horn sounded extremely loud and would not stop I could not stop it so I took it to shop. The dealer says that airbag shorted out and shorted out the horn. They want to replace airbag and horn at a cost of $1109 was this airbag recalled?
I got into my car at work to go to a business. I inserted the key and started the car and the air bags in the steering wheel and the passenger side of the dash deployed breaking the dash and the windshield. The car was stationary and parked in my company's parking lot.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Airbag complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Cadillac Deville, 15% of the model year's 176 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Cadillac Deville airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Cadillac Deville airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to air bags 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.