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 2004 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that the front driver side power seat moved forward independently. The dealer replaced the two power seat fuses. The same day, after the repair was performed, a burning odor and smoke emitted inside of the vehicle due to an electrical short circuit within the power seat. The dealer then removed the breaker. There were no flames present. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Driving east on flamingo st, las vegas, hit dip in road, suddenly, went dead. No power, engine died, hit from behind, airbags did not deploy. Went hospital by ambulance, with neck brace, iv drip, spent one night, went doctor next day. Car taken repair shop, per geico insurance adjuster. Went to this doctor for two years, then another doctor at v.a. Hospital, to this date. Had shots to low back, neck, many chiropractor treatments, with various pills, such as oxycodone, hydocodone and other narcotics for pain. Having to shots in low back this month, 29 oct 2014. The accident was investigated by las vegas state police department. Damage to my car was over $20,000. Dollars, geico would not replace, had to sell, suffered lost after 5 months. It was never correct after accident. …
Car will not start when I turn the key checked the fuses all good check the battery good. Then it started next day drove home from work and power turned off in the middle of the street power steering started to lock as I managed to pull off in to a parking lot. Started once again, made it home. Next day was able to stard vehicle drove to work, once it was time for me to head home tried starting car and nothing nothing I can open trunk with key fob can't open gas tank door from inside manually. My car is saying air bag light constantly. Also I have a consistent squeak ing/grinding on the front driver wheel
Dt: the contact s owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. There were no warning indications that there was a problem with the vehicle. The contact stated the front end of the vehicle completely burned. The insurance company had the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the fire. The consumer contacted the service dealer. The service dealer wanted the consumer to have the vehicle towed to the dealership to determine the cause of fire. The consumer has contacted the manufacturer of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. While the vehicle was stationary, both the rear passenger and driver side windows malfunctioned. The contact stated that the windows failed to close when prompted due to a fractured motor. The vehicle was taken to be repaired at Goodyear where the rear passenger and driver side regulators and motors were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,600. Updated 06/07/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while stationary, the ignition key would not go into the ignition when prompted. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the lock cylinder was replaced as well as the key. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I was driving the car it was doing just fine once I parked the car came back to start the car the engine would turn over but it would not start once I had tried about 12 times it decided to start and there was something blowing sounding like it just might be the air on sometime I would come to the start the car battery would be dead
Driving from exit ramp onto highway car was very difficult to keep in center of lane, is seems to be better after stability system replaced in steering column. Was not called in for recall of keys until, 12/05/14. Heater stopped working by 50%, electric door lock stopped working approx same time. Brakes not working as well, same time frame. Everything was checked out in feb; this year, although started noticing steering problems August, September., 2014. I thought it was a slow leak in the tire causing the steering problem, although now believe it had something to do with the stability control system, steering column area. We were charged for the repair, even though it falls under the recall complaints. What we thought was going to be a $100 or $150.00 job, as I OK'd them to use the multi-point inspection machine and check anti freeze level, costs us $688.15. …
While driving the engine would stall intermittently. It frequently happened on the freeways while driving 55 MPH, but was not necessarily confined to freeway driving. It happened on side streets and while crossing the railroad tracks and intersections. We took the vehicle to our dealer. They told us repeatedly that they couldn't duplicate the problem. Between October 2013 and jan/feb 2014 we spent over $2,000 for different parts the dealer thought was the problem. To be fair, part of the money was spent for brakes and other service. My husband passed away jan. 28, 2014 and the vehicle was at the dealers. It still wasn't fixed. I asked them to please keep the car and see if they could find why the stalling was happening. They kept the car for about 2 weeks and called and said they found the problem and they would only charge me for parts and not labor. …
My Cadillac Deville 2004 windows have all been replaced first it was the driver side window fell all the way down could not get to go up then front passenger side made a cracking sound so I put the window down and it sound like it was going to crack then took my car to my mechanic and he says wow I have never seen a good car like Cadillac have so many window problems so now that I got these 2 fixed my mechanic says maybe exercise your windows every time you get in car so I did then it was the driver side back that got stuck and then the other went in a couple of weeks all I did was making my window s go up and down I live in the desert on a dirt road so my windows never go down at 250 dollars per window that really needs to be looked into. So now I will never roll my windows down again I have tape over the buttons so that no one will use them.
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 2004 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Cadillac Deville, 28% of the model year's 167 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Cadillac Deville electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac Deville electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury 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.